In a move that’s caught the world by surprise, Prince Harry has quietly travelled to Kyiv to show his unwavering support for Ukrainian soldiers seriously injured in the ongoing war with Russia.
The Duke of Sussex, who served ten years in the British Army and remains deeply committed to veterans’ welfare, was invited by the Ukrainian government.
His mission? To offer solidarity and launch new recovery initiatives for the wounded through his Invictus Games Foundation.
“We cannot stop the war, but what we can do is do everything we can to help the recovery process,” said Harry, speaking to The Guardian from an overnight train to Kyiv.
A Personal Mission Rooted in Military Brotherhood
Harry’s visit isn’t just diplomatic, it’s personal. He knows what it means to serve and to suffer the consequences of war.
With more than 300,000 Ukrainians reportedly disabled since the invasion began, according to the European Disability Forum, his trip underscores the urgent need for continued global attention.
Alongside his Invictus Games team, the duke plans to introduce new rehabilitation projects for injured soldiers. These programmes will first launch in Kyiv and are expected to expand nationwide.
A Symbolic Move Amid Rising Tensions
His trip comes during a volatile week in the region. Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace before being shot down by NATO, and Ukraine suffered its largest aerial assault yet, with missiles striking a key government building in the capital for the first time.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is also expected in Kyiv shortly, a gesture symbolising the UK’s enduring support for Ukraine.
Harry’s Kyiv visit follows a rare UK stopover, during which he briefly reunited with King Charles after nearly two years apart. The two spent just under an hour together at Clarence House, a meeting many see as a tentative step towards reconciliation.
Sparks of Reconnection and Lingering Family Strains
Before departing for Ukraine, Harry wrapped up his UK visit by attending an event hosted by The Diana Award in central London.
There, he engaged with young changemakers and spoke about mental health, reflecting on the emotional toll today’s world places on youth.
In his candid remarks, he said that people often feel emotionally isolated when they are “lost and separated from a group.”
Although the duke did meet King Charles during his stay, his strained relationship with Prince William remains unchanged. The brothers did not meet.
Still, a spokesperson said Harry had “loved” being back in the UK and enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and colleagues.
From New York to Lviv – A Journey That Led to Kyiv
The spark for this bold visit was lit months ago in New York. Harry recalled: “I bumped into Olga in New York. It was a chance meeting, and I asked her what I could do to help.
She said, ‘The biggest impact you have is coming to Kyiv.’ I had to check with my wife and the British government to make sure it was OK. Then the official invitation came.”
That “Olga” is Olga Rudnieva, founder and CEO of the Superhumans Trauma Centre in Lviv, which Harry had previously visited. She encouraged him to see Kyiv for himself.
“In Lviv, you don’t see much of the war. It is so far west. This is the first time we will see the real destruction of the war,” Harry explained.
Invictus Games: More Than Sport for Ukraine
Ukraine first took part in the Invictus Games in 2017. But since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the country’s connection to the event has deepened.
“It was remarkable,” Harry said of Ukraine’s participation in the 2022 Games in The Hague. “Every one of the participants had a journey to get to those games, but nobody from any of the other competing nations was going back to war… That is why the Ukrainians stood out.”
Some athletes, he noted, were pulled off the battlefield just to compete and then returned straight back.
A Packed Yet Secret Schedule in Kyiv
Details of Harry’s itinerary are being kept under wraps for security. However, it’s understood he will:
- Visit the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War
- Meet 200 veterans
- Hold talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko
The prince is determined to spend meaningful time with soldiers and witness the reality of war up close.
Archewell’s Support Reaches Beyond Ukraine
In parallel with Harry’s visit, the Sussexes’ charity, Archewell, announced a generous donation of $500,000 (£369,000). The funds will support injured children in both Gaza and Ukraine.
The grants will aid the World Health Organisation in medical evacuations and help fund advanced prosthetics for young survivors of conflict.
This announcement coincided with Harry’s visit to the Centre for Blast Injury Studies at Imperial College London, where he learned more about innovations in treating trauma injuries.
Prince Harry’s trip to Kyiv is more than symbolic. It’s a statement, a reminder that amid the headlines and politics, real people are suffering and still need the world’s attention.
His presence may not change the outcome of the war, but for many wounded Ukrainian soldiers, it brings visibility, hope, and perhaps a small step toward healing.
As Harry put it: “We can continue to humanise the people involved in this war and what they are going through… I hope this trip will help to bring it home to people.” And maybe, for a moment, it already has.
