A promising 17-year-old Ukrainian kickboxing champion has been tragically killed after being struck by a Russian missile as she ran for cover in her hometown.
A Life of Promise Cut Short
Karina Bakhur, aged just 17, succumbed to her wounds in a medical facility following a missile attack on the residential area of Berestyn, located in the Kharkiv region. The young athlete was fatally wounded while attempting to reach a basement shelter in her apartment building during the bombardment ordered by Vladimir Putin's forces.
She was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment but doctors were unable to save her life.
A Champion's Legacy
Karina was no ordinary teenager. She was the reigning European champion in 'Cossack duel' and held the title of Ukrainian champion in kickboxing. Her skill and dedication had also earned her the prestigious designation of Master of Sports of Ukraine in kickboxing.
The talented athlete had represented her nation across Europe, travelling extensively to compete in international competitions. In a bitter irony, the teenage star, who also competed in karate, was killed by forces belonging to a Russian leader known for his personal admiration of martial arts.
Context and Condemnation
A police source confirmed the devastating outcome, stating: "As a result of the hits, a 17-year-old girl was wounded and died in a medical facility while receiving aid."
A heartfelt tribute painted a picture of a life filled with potential, cruelly extinguished. It read: “A very young, beautiful, strong girl, [she] had her whole life ahead of her, but now she is forever 17…Karina was killed by Russia, cruelly, late at night, launching missiles at Berestyn."
This deadly attack occurs amidst growing alarm from NATO members. Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Wieslaw Kukula, has warned that Russia has entered a period of preparation for war, actively creating conditions favourable for potential aggression on allied territory. Estonia's foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, has similarly raised concerns about the direct military threat Russia now poses to NATO states.
