President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Ukrainian veterans – winners and participants of the Invictus Games – and presented them with state awards.
“‘From the Invictus comes the nation.’ You know these important words well. Not only because they are the official motto of the Invictus Games, but above all because you are real living proof of these very words,” the Head of State said.
The President noted that these people exemplify unwavering faith and extraordinary strength.
“In the war, this was the strength of your wisdom and courage. Today, it is the strength of your will, your ability to overcome anything, any hardship, in the struggle for yourself, for the future, for life,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
The President emphasized that Ukraine honors everyone who defended our independence at the cost of their health and life. Those present observed a minute of silence in memory of fallen Ukrainian warriors.
The Head of State presented the winners and participants of the Invictus Games with the Orders of Merit, III class, and the Orders “For Courage,” III class.
Among the awardees are veterans of the ATO/JFO and the full-scale war who won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Invictus Games in Düsseldorf 2023, and in Vancouver and Whistler 2025. They competed in cycling, snowboarding, running, swimming, cross-country and alpine skiing (sitting), indoor rowing, shot put, discus throw, biathlon (for people with visual impairments), UNQ basketball, and other disciplines.
The Invictus Games are an international adaptive sports event founded in 2014 by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, for service members and veterans with injuries, trauma, or illness. Ukraine has participated since 2017. During their time at the Invictus Games, our country's representatives have won over 100 medals.
