Aleksei Bugayev


Aleksei Ivanovich Bugayev was a Russian professional footballer who played as a defender.

Club career

Bugayev played for Tom Tomsk, Torpedo Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow, Khimki, and Krasnodar.

International career

Bugayev made his debut for the football team|Russia national team] in 2004, playing 90 minutes in a friendly match against Austria ending in a goalless draw. He was then included in the squad at the UEFA Euro 2004. He was an unused substitute in the 1–0 loss against Spain, but played the full 90 minutes in the 0–2 loss to Portugal and in the 2–1 win against Greece. He earned three more caps in 2006 World Cup qualification, playing 90 minutes in 4–0 wins against both Luxembourg and Estonia and a 1–7 loss against Portugal. His last appearance for Russia was in a friendly against Italy in 2005. He retired from his career in 2010.

Personal life and death

Bugayev had issues with alcohol addiction throughout his adult life and retired early from playing football at the age of 29. He worked for a recycling business after retirement but turned to crime to pay for his alcohol debts.
On 28 October 2023, Bugayev was arrested in Krasnodar in possession of 495 grams of mephedrone. On 24 September 2024, he pled guilty to drug distribution and was sentenced to 9.5 years of imprisonment. While imprisoned, Bugayev sought to enlist in the military to participate in the war against Ukraine.
On 29 December 2024, Bugayev was killed fighting for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. Due to his death in the war zone, his body could not be immediately recovered.

Honours