On October 13 in Krakow at the "Krakowiak" stadium during the match between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, players brought children of military personnel who are undergoing rehabilitation after injuries at centers of the national RECOVERY network onto the field.

Thanks to the Ukrainian Football Association and the RECOVERY project, founded by Viktor and Olena Pinchuk to support the Security and Defense Forces, these children got their first chance to visit a large stadium and fulfill their dream of seeing Ukraine's national team play live.

Photos by Andriy Yushchak

Among these children were also the kids of veterans who, for the first time after their parents' rehabilitation, went on a joint trip with them, which became a special moment of unity.

"I was nervous when I came out onto the field with the players. I was afraid to get lost and trembled because it was my first time. I was very worried — there were so many famous players! It seemed like everything in my life depended on how I would come out," — Katya shared her impressions of leading Oleksiy Hushchylak, the author of Ukraine's first goal against Azerbaijan.

Photos by Andriy Yushchak

"I am happy that I could go on such a trip. When I came out onto the field with the players, I trembled a lot and felt a little scared. But it's not scary! The players just took my hand and walked me out. And then, when the Ukrainian anthem was played, they put their hands on our shoulders, and we sang together," — Illia said who led Artyom Dovbyk onto the field.

Photos by Andriy Yushchak

"This was really great! I liked it a lot! I would like to do this again. Thank you," — Matvey emphasized who led the captain of Azerbaijan's team, Emin Mahmudov. Matvey's father has been serving Ukraine for more than 10 years.

Among the children was also Rostyslav, son of the amputee football player Maxim Soroka from MSK "Dnipro" (Cherkasy). In 2015, Maxim took an oath, and in September 2024 he sustained a serious injury from an FPV drone collision, as a result of which he lost his leg. During rehabilitation at RECOVERY, he went to training with amputee football for the first time. Now Maxim has two families — his own and his football family, which gives him strength to move forward.

Photos by Andriy Yushchak

After the opening ceremony of the match, the children joined their parents in the stands and cheered for Ukraine's national team.

*UAF Foundation — this is a charitable foundation established by the Ukrainian Football Association, which implements social projects and fundraising aimed at developing football in Ukraine. The main areas of activity of the foundation include adaptive football, mass children's football, women's football, social support, and restoring sports infrastructure. The foundation also initiates projects related to overcoming war consequences, using the unifying power of football for positive changes in society.

Photos by Andriy Yushchak

*RECOVERY — a national network of rehabilitation centers for injured military personnel. The project was founded by Viktor and Olena Pinchuk to help the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine. As of today, 18 RECOVERY rehabilitation centers are operating in Ukraine, where over 34 thousand servicemen have already been rehabilitated.