Новини
“Invictus Day” in Cherkasy brought together veterans, communities and experts to advance veteran sports
11 march 2026
On Sunday, Cherkasy hosted “Invictus Day”, a sports event for defenders and their families. The event was organised by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and the Centre for Strategic Communications Stratcom Ukraine as part of the Invictus Games movement in Ukraine, together with the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration and the Cherkasy City Council, as well as MHP in cooperation with the “MHP–Hromadi” Charitable Foundation within the support programme for the military, veterans and their families, “MHP Poruch”.
“We are building a system in which sport becomes not a one-time initiative but a continuous opportunity for veterans to regain strength, find new motivation and feel the support of a community. That is why the development of veteran sports is part of the national policy aimed at helping defenders return to active life. It is important for us that veteran sports develop as a comprehensive system — from local community events to the participation of national teams in international competitions. On these platforms, Ukrainian veterans represent not only themselves but also the strength, dignity and resilience of Ukraine,” said Natalia Kalmykova, Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine.
The event became a platform supporting defenders and brought together more than 300 guests. Representatives of government and business, together with the veteran community, discussed the development of adaptive sports in the Cherkasy region.
“The aim of the event is to ensure that defenders who may not yet be familiar with the Invictus Games or veteran sports in general can take the most difficult ‘first step’ into the community in a safe environment. When Invictus initiatives come directly to their city — rather than veterans having to travel to an event — they discover adaptive sports close to home, together with their families, under the mentorship of members of Ukraine’s national teams competing at the Invictus Games and in an atmosphere of mutual support and respect,” said Veronika Buchelnikova, Coordinator of the Invictus Games in Ukraine.
“For us, as a socially responsible business, it is important to create sustainable opportunities that help defenders fully return to active life in their cities and communities. That is why within the ‘MHP Poruch’ programme, in cooperation with the ‘MHP–Hromadi’ Charitable Foundation, we develop adaptive sports, create veteran spaces and support initiatives that unite veterans and help them move forward. The veteran movement is about dignity and the strength of community. I am convinced that business can and should be part of it, because investing in people and communities means investing in the future of Ukraine,” said Oleksandr Pakholiuk, Director of the “MHP–Hromadi” Charitable Foundation.
Guests had the opportunity to try adaptive sports including wheelchair basketball and rugby, cycling, rowing on simulators, boccia and archery. In addition to training sessions, participants could also meet members of Ukraine’s national teams competing at the Invictus Games.
“Sport is one of the most powerful tools for veterans’ recovery. That is why supporting such initiatives is an important part of our systematic work with veterans within the ‘MHP Poruch’ programme, which covers the entire journey of a defender — from service to a full return to civilian life. For the second year in a row we have supported the ‘Days of the Unbreakable’, as such sporting events help our veterans recover through sport, feel supported and become part of an active community,” said Andrii Yakymchuk, veteran and Head of the Military and Veterans Interaction Group at MHP.
The “Invictus Day” in Cherkasy became a symbol of unity and shared responsibility. The event demonstrated that the development of adaptive sports plays an important role in helping defenders return to active life and becomes possible through cooperation between the state, communities, businesses, charitable organisations and the veteran community.
Organisers emphasise that developing the veteran movement in the regions remains a priority. Sporting events will continue to expand across the country so that every veteran can feel the support of the community, draw inspiration from fellow defenders and find their own path to recovery through sport.
