Новини
Adaptive Sport Close to Home: A Veteran Space Opens in Kyiv Region
27 february 2026
An adaptive sports space for servicemen and veterans has opened in the village of Myrne in the Kyiv region. The opening featured the first functional training session as part of the project “Unstoppable: Sports Rehabilitation of the Heroes of Myrne.”
The project is one of 20 winners of the “Time to Act, Unstoppable” competition. Under a co-financing model, it received grant support from the State Institution “Mass Sport Agency of Ukraine,” with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine within the framework of the Presidential program “Active Parks,” the Fedor Shpyh Foundation, and the Charitable Foundation “MHP–Hromadi” as part of the comprehensive support program for servicemen, veterans, and their families “MHP Standing Together” .
This is the first adaptive sports space in the community. Grant funds were used to equip it with additional adaptive training equipment, including an air bike, a rowing machine, and a Bubnovsky rehabilitation trainer. The space will operate on a permanent basis, providing regular training and physical recovery opportunities for veterans.
On the opening day, veterans from the adaptive sports team “Strong of Pereiaslav” joined the training session.
Among them was Bohdan Butovych, a native of Pereiaslav, a Group II disability holder and combat veteran. Bohdan joined the military in 2017, serving in the 43rd Separate Artillery Brigade named after Taras Triasylo for five years. On January 30, 2022, he completed his contract, but returned to service on February 24, joining the 72nd Brigade named after the Black Zaporozhians. On March 9, he sustained a severe mine-explosive injury in the Kyiv region. After four surgeries and a long recovery, sport helped him return to an active life.
“First of all, you become part of a community where others also have injuries — young guys without limbs. You get the chance to build new connections. We don’t have rivals — only brothers-in-arms. Training energizes and disciplines you. Then your body starts feeling better on its own.”
Another member of the “Strong of Pereiaslav” team is veteran Andrii Demianchuk. In 2022, he joined the defense of Ukraine, serving in Donbas and the Kharkiv region, where he was wounded. He began training in 2025 as a way to recover and regain activity.
“During sports training, I feel much better. I really enjoy it. Before, I couldn’t walk up to the fourth floor without two breaks, and now I go up calmly. I’m not chasing records, but I keep myself in good shape,” Andrii says. “When I come to the gym, it feels like I disconnect from memories and everything negative. It helps a lot. It’s not easy — age and injuries make themselves felt. But we try, test ourselves, and keep moving forward.”
The opening of the adaptive space in the Kyiv region is part of broader efforts to support servicemen and veterans in communities. The focus is on creating accessible recovery infrastructure close to home. The development of such initiatives relies on partnership between the state, business, and local communities.
“For us, it is important not just to help once, but to create sustainable opportunities for the recovery of our defenders and their return to active life in their communities. That is why within the ‘MHP Poruch’ program we support servicemen both during service and after they return home — providing rehabilitation, psychological support, and reintegration assistance. Initiatives like the project in Myrne reflect the strength of community, trust in people nearby, and confidence in tomorrow. Together we are creating a space where veterans feel supported and respected.”
The creation of adaptive spaces in communities is part of a broader state and partner policy to develop accessible sports opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities. Such initiatives provide sustainable access to physical activity close to home and expand local support networks.
“Our goal is for every veteran, every person with a disability, and every family to have access to physical activity close to home, in a safe and supportive environment. Adaptive sport is about recovery, about community, about returning to active life.”
From now on, the adaptive sports space in Myrne will operate as a permanent place for regular training and support for veterans in the community.
