Recently, the "Invictus Games" for veterans and military personnel took place in Kyiv. Over the course of three days, veterans and military members who had sustained injuries competed in adaptive sports.

Among the participants were border guards from the Lviv BG Detachment – Pavlo Pikovets, Roman Meshcheriakov, and Serhii Dubov.

Roman competed in three sports disciplines: archery, rowing on simulators, and cycling.

As a reminder, Roman Meshcheriakov encountered February 24, 2022, while patrolling the Sea of Azov. During the defense of Mariupol, he sustained multiple injuries. On the night of April 14-15, the border guards received combat orders to break through to the last line of defense – the Azovstal plant. During a mortar attack, Roman lost his arm. He remained at the plant for a month and exited as part of the Mariupol garrison on May 17, 2022, ending up in Olenivka. The border guard returned home through an exchange on June 29, 2022. After numerous surgeries, Roman returned to service at the end of 2022.

Pavlo competed in two categories – rowing and athletics. He managed to complete the 400-meter distance, securing second place.

Pavlo Pikovets also faced February 24, 2022, in Mariupol. That night, he arrived at the military unit, received his weapon, and on the same day, joined the consolidated BG detachment on combat positions. Until April 14, he, along with others, defended Mariupol. On the night of April 15, they received combat orders to break through to the last line of defense – the Azovstal plant. During the breakthrough, he sustained shrapnel injuries to his right arm. Thanks to the doctors at Azovstal, he did not lose his limb. He remained at the plant for a month and exited as part of the Mariupol garrison on May 17, 2022. He was first taken to Olenivka, then to Donetsk.

The border guard returned home through an exchange on June 29, 2022.

This year, Serhii was an assistant coach. Serhii Dubov also faced the start of the full-scale invasion of the russian federation in Mariupol. On March 24, 2022, his position was shelled by artillery, resulting in the loss of his arm. He was evacuated to the hospital at Azovstal. After enemy captivity, treatment, and rehabilitation, he returned to service. Serhii is a multiple-time winner of international and national competitions. The border guard won two gold medals a month ago at the national "Strong People of Ukraine" competition.

Ukrainian male and female defenders competed in nine adaptive sports. This year, the national team included ten more members than last year. The international Invictus Games Foundation increased Ukraine's quota from 25 to 35 participants.

The organizers of the "Invictus Games" highlight, besides the general goal of promoting recovery and rehabilitation through sports, the important social aspect of the project – mobilizing society to support Ukrainian soldiers on their path to returning to civilian life after the war.