THE WIFE and eight-year-old daughter of a top Ukrainian rugby player have been killed in a Russian missile strike.
Vitalina, 35, the wife of Ukrainian rugby league player Volodymyr Mashkin, and their daughter Kira, 8, have died after a Russian missile hit their home in Kharkiv.
Russians launched three missile attacks on civilian areas, one of which hit the family's home in Kharkiv, according to Ukrainian media.
On the first day of the rescue mission, January 23, rescuers pulled out the bodies of an 8-year-old girl and her mother from the rubble.
It has since emerged that these were the bodies of Vitalina and Kira.
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Mashkin usually plays for both the Kharkiv rugby club Legion XII and the Ukrainian national rugby team, but had volunteered to join the Ukrainian military to defend his country.
Ukrainian media revealed that his wife and daughter had moved to Kharkiv to be closer to the rugby star.
The president of the Kharkiv Region Rugby Federation, Roman Bykhov, told Ukrainian media: "They wanted to be closer to the front, where Volodya is.
"So that he could come to them on leave, so that they could help him and support him."
It has also emerged that Mashkin had been sent home on leave and was preparing to join his family on the day of the strikes.
Ukrainian media reported that he was unable to make it back to see them one last time.
Serhiy Bolvinov, the Head of the Investigative Department of the State Police in the Kharkiv region, said: "The city was subjected to a combined attack by Russian cruise missiles, supersonic Kh-32s, 'Iskanders', and S-300 missiles.
"Eleven missiles targeted Kharkiv, and two hit Balakliia, once again striking civilian infrastructure."
Ukrainian media has also reported that one of the missiles used were Putin's lethal X-22s - a deadly ballistic missile which is notoriously difficult to intercept.
Bolvinov added: "Impacts were recorded at eight locations, including residential high-rises, private residences, an educational institution, a cemetery, and a scientific enterprise.
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"According to the latest information, there are already six casualties, with the body of a 21-year-old woman found at one of the impact sites. One of the deceased can only be identified through DNA analysis, as the individual was severely mutilated.
"If anyone is unable to locate a relative after the morning attack, we urge them to contact the police.
"The rescue operation continues without interruption. Under the rubble of a five-story building, we are searching for people, possibly with two casualties remaining, including a 9-year-old boy.
"As of now, there are a total of 57 wounded individuals."
The tragic death of Mashkin's wife and daughter has come as part of Putin's heinous assaults on Ukraine in the last few weeks.
A barrage of missile strikes have left hundreds injured and dozens dead. Buildings have been set ablaze and a children's care home destroyed.
