Prince Harry in Ukraine meeting Invictus hopefuls

Harry, founder and patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, watched wheelchair rugby players competing for places in Ukraine's team for next year's Invictus Games in Birmingham, England. Around 500 people have registered to compete for the 60-member squad, which Ukraine plans to send as its largest ever team.

“Every single time I come back to Ukraine, I feel welcome, I feel warmth,” Harry said, adding that he had “taken a risk to come here”. Ukraine has about 1.4 million combat veterans, more than 10 per cent of whom have disabilities. “You're going to win the war,” the 42-year-old said during his fourth trip to the country since the conflict with Russia began in 2022.

“You're going to win the war and then you're going to be set up for success,” he said.

The conference was organised by Superhumans, a clinic specialising in the rehabilitation of war-wounded. At a rugby game, Harry hugged Valery Odainyk, a contestant at last year's Invictus Games in Canada and a leg amputee who remains an active serviceman in the Ukrainian forces. “So when do you find time to train?” Harry asked in surprise. Odainyk said he told Harry his involvement in disability sport “all started and continues with the Invictus Games.”

“When the war is over and when Ukraine wins, we will be ready to support you in holding an Invictus Games,” Harry told wounded veterans later on Saturday.