Solutions from Ukraine: Zakarpattia introduces first regional adaptive sports team founded by war veterans

The first adaptive sports team in the region was presented in Transcarpathia [Zakarpattia – ed.]. It includes veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war who suffered serious injuries at the front.

Ukrinform reported this.

The team was formed in early 2025 and named CS Gladiator.

On March 11, the "gladiators" presented their team to military personnel undergoing rehabilitation at the A. Novak Transcarpathian Regional Clinical Hospital.

As reported, the "gladiators" were led by Konstiantyn Kashula, a former military personnel, volunteer, and veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

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"Currently, the team comprises 17 participants from Uzhgorod, Mukachevo, and Khust, all of whom have fought and sustained significant visible and invisible injuries on the front line. Russian forces also captured some team members," he said.

The team leader states that they have their gym in Uzhhorod, with equipment provided through the support of charitable foundations.

^{Photo: Ukrinform}

"We have simulators on which veterans can learn from scratch or improve their skills in weightlifting, rowing on a simulator, archery, bench press. We are also developing kickboxing," the veteran said.

There is an agreement to practice based on local sports clubs in other cities of Transcarpathia.

As Kashula noted, the team will develop and recruit participants. In the future, the Transcarpathian "gladiators" will represent the region at the national selection for the Invictus Games.

For reference:

At the 2025 Invictus Games, held in the Canadian cities of Vancouver and Whistler, the Ukrainian national team won 30 medals, the second-best result in the country's history.

Every medal won by Team Ukraine at the Invictus Games 2025 tells a story of resilience. Ukrainian soldiers Artur Mylin and Valerii Odainyk survived clinical death and lost limbs but refused to give up. Sports became a vital part of their recovery, and now they're determined to share this experience with others. Read more in Rubryka's article: "Invictus Games 2025: How Ukrainian veterans overcome themselves and inspire others."

The Ukrainian Football Association (UFA) also presented a new social project called "League of the Strong", created to involve people with amputated limbs or impaired function of one of their limbs in football.