Iryna Deryugina reacted emotionally to the Russian shelling of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Iryna Deryugina, president of the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation and a legendary coach, strongly condemned the attack on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, noting that after the occupiers destroyed the Christian shrine and the cross, the Russian Federation should be laid to rest in that very spot. She emphasized that it is impossible to believe the Kremlin’s cynical statements about Moscow’s alleged peaceful intentions while cities continue to be destroyed and civilians killed. 

Derugina called on the international community to take a firm stance against the aggressor’s actions and not allow Russia to evade responsibility for its long-standing crimes and the destruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. 

The coach added that Ukrainians face the threat of shelling every day, and athletes are forced to train under conditions of constant stress and air raid alerts, which severely affects their preparation.