Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has joined his fellow Russians in mourning the loss of nine lives in a shooting spree at a school in the city of Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan.
Seven children and two adults – a teacher and a school worker – were killed in the gun attack on School No. 175 on Tuesday morning.
The suspect, 19-year-old Ilnaz Galyaviev, said to be a former student of the school, was detained at the scene and is in police custody.
More than a dozen other people, mostly children, were also injured in the assault.
As Russia grieves the lives of those lost, UFC star Khabib – one of his country’s most prominent sportsmen – shared a message of condolence on Instagram.
“There are no children of others,” wrote the 32-year-old Dagestani, symbolizing the collective grief felt at the loss of the victims.
“Condolences to the families and loved ones,” he added, sharing a black and white image of the school and with the date of the tragedy and the message: “Kazan, we are with you.”
The former UFC champion joined prominent figures from Russian sport such as Olympic figure skating gold medalist Alina Zagitova, who also posted a message honoring Kazan and the victims on her Instagram account.
Elsewhere, Russian football officials announced that Wednesday’s Russian Cup final between Lokomotiv Moscow and Krylia Sovetov would begin with a minute’s silence, as will the final round of Russian Premier League matches this weekend.
Local Russian Premier League football club Rubin Kazan also shared their condolences in a message on social media, wishing those injured in the attack a full recovery.
