A football tournament dedicated to the memory of the Illovaysk tragedy took place at the Kyiv Military Training Center named after Viktor Bannikov. The event was organized by the Ukrainian Football Association, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, "Kyiv Military Hub," and the Kyiv City Center for Physical Culture and Sports for People with Disabilities "Invasport."

Traditionally, teams of military personnel and war veterans participate in this event. For them, sports are an important part of rehabilitation. Participating in such competitions helps them regain physical fitness, strengthen team spirit, receive emotional support from like-minded people, and serve as effective psychological relief, reducing stress levels and allowing them to partially distance themselves from the difficult memories and experiences associated with war. Thus, the tournament has not only a sporting but also significant social and rehabilitative value.

Photo courtesy of "Kyiv Military Hub"

This year, eight teams took part in the competition:

— FC "Patriot";

— "Friends and Brothers";

— "Vovkulaks";

— "Alliance";

— "Fire Department";

— FC "Omega";

— "Titan";

— VCh 22 60.

At the opening ceremony, Ruslan Prykhodko, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, addressed the participants, thanked them for their service to the country and noted that the ministry will always support such events and initiatives.

Photo courtesy of "Kyiv Military Hub"

According to the rules, participants were divided into two groups of four teams each. The winners of the quartets met in the final, while the second-placed teams from both groups played for third place.

Match for 3rd Place

"Titan" — FC "Patriot" — 4:2

Final

"Vovkulaks" — VCh 22 60 — 2:2, pen. 2:3

The winners and runners-up received cups and medals.

Photo courtesy of "Kyiv Military Hub"

Individual nominations:

— best goalkeeper — Maxim Shavinskyi ("Titan");

— best defender — Artem Cheberko (VCh 22 60);

— best forward — Andriy Babenko (FC "Patriot");

— best player — Dmytro Gordus ("Vovkulaks").