The Duke of Sussex visited Kyiv at the invitation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Olga Rudneva, CEO of the Superhumans Center, leading a delegation from the Invictus Games Foundation in his capacity as Founder and Patron of the Invictus Games.
It offered firsthand insight into the work of Superhumans—experts in recovery and rehabilitation who support more than 150,000 seriously wounded Ukrainian service men and women. The scale of need is staggering, reflecting the immense human cost of the ongoing conflict and the critical importance of specialized rehabilitation services.
Voices from the Front Lines
The Duke participated in a panel discussion at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, joining Captain Olexiy Tiunin from the Invictus Games Team Ukraine, David Wiseman, Chief Programmes & Strategy Officer of the Invictus Games Foundation, and Olga Rudneva and Andriy Stavnitser from the Superhumans Center.
During the panel, the Duke offered a tribute that extended beyond the battlefield. He honored “the wives and mothers who keep their loved ones on the straight and narrow—they deserve as much respect as anyone who serves.” This recognition underscored that the impact of military service reaches far beyond individual soldiers to encompass entire families and support networks.
When asked about advice for those transitioning out of military service who might miss its camaraderie, the Duke’s response carried the weight of personal insight: “You will feel lost at times, like you lack purpose, but however dark those days are, there is light at the end of the tunnel. You just need to look for it, because there will always be someone—a mother, father, sibling, friend, or comrade—there to pick you up.”
His guidance was direct and actionable: “Don’t stay silent. Silence will hold you in the dark. Open up to your friends and family, because in doing so you give them permission to do the same.”
Building Strategic Partnerships
The Duke met privately with Ukraine’s Minister for Veterans Affairs, Natalia Kalmykova to discuss concrete ways the Invictus Games Foundation and the broader international community can enhance support for wounded, injured, and sick serving personnel and veterans returning home with life-changing injuries.
With an estimated 1.5 million veterans, Ukraine’s rehabilitation needs rank among the greatest globally. The Invictus Games Foundation has committed to making Ukraine a key focus area in the years ahead, recognizing the scope of the challenge and the opportunity for meaningful impact.
The Duke was hosted at a fundraising lunch specifically aimed at helping the Superhumans Center build up to five new recovery and rehabilitation centers. These facilities represent more than infrastructure—they’re pathways to rebuilding lives disrupted by conflict.
In a separate private meeting with Prime Minister Svyrydenko, the Duke reiterated his personal commitment to the entire Invictus community, demonstrating that this engagement extends well beyond a single visit.
The visit concluded at Maidan Square, where the Duke laid a wreath to honor the heroes of Ukraine who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of freedom and democracy. This served as a powerful reminder of the broader context within which rehabilitation and recovery efforts take place.
The Invictus Legacy Continues
The Duke’s visit to Ukraine embodied the core philosophy of the Invictus Games—that the human spirit cannot be defeated, that recovery is possible even in the face of devastating injury. For Ukraine’s wounded warriors and their families, his message was clear: you are not forgotten, your journey matters, and the international community stands ready to support your path to recovery.
As Ukraine continues to navigate unprecedented challenges, this visit highlighted how healing encompasses not just medical treatment, but community support, international solidarity, and the unwavering belief that every veteran’s recovery journey deserves comprehensive support and recognition.
Photo credit: Daniel Levene