Group Ukraine is ready to compete within the 2025 Invictus Video games, which formally started on Feb. 8 in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada. The group, consisting of 35 injured Ukrainian troopers—the most important Ukrainian delegation but — arrived in Canada on Jan. 31 after six months of coaching.

Ukraine will face Colombia within the Group C Preliminary Spherical of wheelchair basketball, the primary sport of the competitors.

This yr’s video games will characteristic 550 athletes with disabilities, accidents, and diseases from 25 totally different international locations, competing throughout 11 sports activities, from Alpine snowboarding to swimming.

“The Ukrainian neighborhood in British Columbia and throughout Canada are deeply honored to welcome Ukraine’s Heroes… to the Invictus Video games,” Ukrainian Canadian Congress West Vice President Natalka Jatskevich stated on Feb. 8.

She emphasised that Ukrainian veterans embody the resilience and bravado of their nation, which has been defending itself towards Russia’s struggle for 3 years.

Deputy Protection Minister Serhii Melnyk highlighted the importance of Ukraine’s participation: "This yr's competitors will present additional possibilities to show to the world the indomitable will of Ukrainian defenders. Their unwavering dedication on the battlefield was unmatched, and their drive for victory in sports activities is inspiring and noteworthy."

Ukraine has participated within the Invictus Video games since 2017, successful 34 medals within the final competitors in 2023.

‘The fear disappears:’ How the Invictus Games help wounded Ukrainian veterans adapt to life after warOn either side of a basketball court in Kyiv, prostheses of various sizes rest alongside piles of water bottles, as two teams in wheelchairs fiercely compete for the ball just tossed up in the air to kick off the game. The players — wounded Ukrainian service members and veterans — are trainingThe Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova