Ukrainian basketball player killed in Germany: Ukraine takes special control over investigation
Volodymyr Yermakov. Photo: Kyiv Basketball Federation/Facebook
In the German city of Dusseldorf on Saturday, February 10, unidentified assailants killed 17-year-old Ukrainian basketball player Volodymyr Yermakov, who was part of Ukraine's youth national team.
The fatal attack was caused by a nationality issue. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken special interest in investigating the athlete's murder, and authorities have already apprehended a suspect.
Rubryka reports, citing statements from the spokesperson for Ukraine's foreign ministry, Oleh Nikolenko, Ukraine's youth and sports ministry, and the Kyiv Basketball Federation, that Yermakov, along with his friend Artem Kozachenko, played for the "ART Giants" (U-19) youth team in Dusseldorf.
The night before a scheduled match, the young basketball players were assaulted with knives on the street because they were Ukrainian.
"The entire team spent the night in the hospital with our boys. Unfortunately, doctors couldn't save Yermakov, and Kozachenko remains in intensive care. Local police are investigating, and there were witnesses at the scene of the crime," the reports stated.
Yermakov had previously played basketball for youth teams like "Teivaz" and "5T.E.A.M.-DYUSH-12".
Yermakov has been on standby for Ukraine's national basketball team in recent years. He participated in the 2022 European Championship in Bulgaria as part of Ukraine's youth national team (U-16).
"The Consulate General in Dusseldorf has held discussions with the head of the police in Essen. Consular officials stressed the urgent need for an investigation and for holding the perpetrator accountable," Nikolenko said.
According to available information, the police have already arrested a suspect, and investigative procedures are ongoing.
"The consular office also oversees the treatment of another injured Ukrainian, Artem Kozachenko, who receives necessary medical care at the Essen hospital. His condition is stable, with no threat to his life," Nikolenko said.
Reaction from a relevant ministry
"The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the entire sports community extend their condolences to the families of the affected basketball players. The Consulate General of Ukraine in Dusseldorf is in contact with local police. The Ukrainian Basketball Federation has shared a card number for assisting the parents: 5375414113406887," the statement read.
Tragic incidents involving Ukrainians abroad
Last summer in the Norwegian city of Bergen, a 30-year-old Ukrainian woman, Kateryna Kozhoma, was found murdered in a hotel room with multiple stab wounds.
In the Polish city of Wroclaw, police officers beat 26-year-old Ukrainian Dmytro Nykyforenko, who had come to Poland in search of a better life. Though the murder occurred in 2021, recently released surveillance footage revealed the brutal attack on the Ukrainian by seven individuals.
