Prince Harry visits Ukraine to support wounded soldiers

Prince Harry made a surprise visit to Kyiv on September 12 after being invited by an organization that helps disabled Ukrainian soldiers, reports Air forceThe Duke of Sussex arrived in Kyiv by train and said he wanted to do everything possible to help the wounded servicemen recover.

Superhumans, an organisation that helps provide victims with prosthetics and rehabilitation, told the BBC that it was they who invited Prince Harry to Ukraine.

Superhumans founder Olga Rudneva met the prince on the platform and presented him with a souvenir cup holder, from which tea is traditionally drunk on Ukrainian night trains.

On the subject: The White House promises to end the war in Ukraine by the end of the year

"Yulia Selezneva and I were standing in the store choosing an avocado when Prince Harry's team called again with the final decision to go to Kyiv: 'Will you make it? Because it's in 10 days.'
"Of course," I replied, because I finally found an avocado of the right softness," Olga Rudneva says about the prince's visit on her Facebook page. "If we had known then all the challenges of organizing a visit to Kyiv in such a short time, perhaps we would have said something different. Although, knowing us, definitely not.

Then there are a million calls worthy of a separate book, and here he is at the Kiev train station, thanks to Ukrzaliznytsia. I say: 'I still can't believe I'm here.' I smile: 'But you promised to come back, and we just didn't imagine it would be so soon after the visit to the Superhumans Center in April.'

Next up is an incredible meeting with veterans and members of the Invictus Games: Team Ukraine team, with the participation of the Minister for Veterans Affairs, Natalia Kalmykova.
'I want you to know in your darkest moments that someone has already done it. If they could do it, you can do it too. An example is important. Choose a sport you love, find new meanings. Meanings give you the strength to live.'

A meeting with businesses, a long conversation with Andrey Stavnitser about veteran reintegration, and a call to hire people with military experience: 'These people will change you and your company. Their level of responsibility, stress resistance, and strength are the key to the success of your business.'

Visiting destroyed buildings in Kyiv, a long silence near toys in memory of the children who died.

Endless conversations in the car about our lives today and honoring the memory of those killed on the Maidan: 'I have never seen such a way to grieve in my life. There is so much pain here, but at the same time so much love.'

With mobile phones illuminating every step, a visit to the destroyed Cabinet building with the Prime Minister.

This visit is important for Ukraine. It is important to convey the truth about our lives to the world, which is tired of our news, through the voice of Prince Harry.

I still can't believe that the team was able to organize everything in such a short time. But we did it. Because we had incredible support and a desire to return Ukraine to the world media. Because we met another person who is ready to be our voice."

In April, Harry already visited the Superhumans organization's center in Lviv, but this is his first visit to the capital of Ukraine.

Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have lost limbs as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine does not provide precise data on military losses.

The prince took part in a panel discussion at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II in Kyiv, where he advised servicemen leaving the army to remember that "there is light at the end of the tunnel".

“You will feel lost at times, like you have no purpose,” said Harry, who served in the British Army for 10 years. “Don’t be silent. Silence will keep you in the dark. Open up to your friends and family, because by doing so you give them permission to do the same.”

Among the people Harry met during the trip was war veteran Vasil Tamulis, who told Reuters: "My main goal was to have a photo with him because not many people have a photo with the prince."

"The selection for the Invictus Games brings people together and motivates them, and it motivates them because it's a very difficult process," he added, referring to the international multi-sport competition Harry founded for wounded servicemen, both active and veteran.

The Duke also held a private meeting with Ukraine's Minister for Veterans Affairs, Natalia Kalmykova, and attended a charity dinner in support of the Superhumans Centre in Lviv.

Ahead of the trip, Prince Harry told The Guardian: "We can't stop the war, but we can do everything we can to help the recovery process.

We can continue to show the human face of the people involved in this war and what they are going through."

The publication reported that Harry was accompanied by a team from his Invictus Games Foundation, which he founded in 2014.

In 2022, President Zelensky granted Ukraine special permission to participate in the Games just months after the outbreak of full-scale war.

During the opening ceremony, the prince said the world was "one" with Ukraine.

His visit to Kyiv comes after the Sussexes' charity Archewell announced on 10 September that it had donated $500 (£000) to projects supporting injured children in Ukraine and Gaza.

The announcement said the grants would go toward helping the World Health Organization conduct medical evacuations and funding the development of prosthetics for young people.

Other members of the royal family have also expressed support for Ukraine.

King Charles hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk in March.

The Prince of Wales, Harry's brother, met Ukrainian displaced people during a two-day visit to Estonia in March and said their resilience was "stunning".

Harry's trip to Ukraine comes after he met his father, King Charles, in London on September 10, their first face-to-face meeting since February 2024.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

On September 12, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was also in Kyiv. She announced an additional £142 million in aid to Ukraine to support energy infrastructure and vulnerable communities, as well as the introduction of XNUMX new sanctions aimed at further weakening Russia’s economy and military supplies.

During her visit, Cooper met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.

The British Foreign Office said the visit confirmed Britain's support for Ukraine.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Charles III diagnosed with cancer

US government to stand trial over Prince Harry's visa

Cocaine, a witch and William's assault: what Prince Harry wrote about in his memoirs

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.