Yevhen Malyshev -- a former Ukrainian biathlete -- lost his life while defending his country in the war with Russia ... officials announced Wednesday. He was only 19 years old.
The International Biathlon Union's executive board released a statement confirming the tragic news earlier this week ... saying Malyshev died following Russia's invasion.
"The EB expresses its deepest condolences on the loss," officials said.
Specific details surrounding the circumstances of his passing are unclear ... though officials added he died "serving in the Ukrainian military."
Malyshev raced for Ukraine's biathlon junior team in 2018 and ended his career when the pandemic started in 2020.