Solutions from Ukraine: Veteran gym for rehabilitation and adaptive sports opens in Zaporizhzhia

28.06.2026, 17:00 rubryka.com

Over the past few years, veteran sports have become a separate area of focus in Zaporizhzhia. Local and regional authorities initially studied the experience of other regions. Today, the Zaporizhzhia region has itself become an example of how to create spaces for adaptive sports.

"A year ago, we traveled to see how it worked in other regions. Now people want to come here and see how we're doing it. This is the result of joint efforts. And it's important because these spaces are needed by people returning from war who want to keep moving forward," said Pavlo Blank, Director of the Department of Sports, Family and Youth of the Zaporizhzhia City Council.

The gym was established with the support of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, the Zaporizhzhia City Council, and partner organizations.

For veterans, the facility is more than just a place to work out free of charge. It is a space where they can return to physical activity, recover from injuries, stay fit, connect with fellow veterans, and gradually find a new rhythm of life after military service.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ihor Illiushkin, a Marine Corps veteran, head of the NGO Razom.UA, and Zaporizhzhia region's representative on the Council of War Veterans under Ukraine's Ministry of Veterans Affairs, said the facility was created in response to requests from the veteran community in the Zaporizhzhia region.

"We asked for this, and we were heard. It's immediately clear that the gym was created professionally. It has almost everything we need. Together with the people who developed this space, we will continue improving it based on what else is needed. We, as veterans, must keep ourselves in shape, support our brothers- and sisters-in-arms who are still on the front line, and help make our country stronger. Zaporizhzhia is already winning veteran sports competitions across Ukraine, and we need to become even stronger," Ihor Illiushkin emphasized.

The new gym is already operating in test mode. It is expected to host training sessions, adaptive sports activities, open sporting events, and gatherings for the veteran community.

"Our deepest gratitude today goes to our Defenders. Thanks to you, we are able to hold events like this and continue developing veteran sports. It is important for us to create conditions where veterans have a space for recovery, training, and new achievements. You continue fighting for Ukraine on the sports field and show that the spirit of victory lives on in Ukrainians," said Oleksandr Zlobenets, Head of the Youth, Physical Culture and Sports Department of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration.

The Adaptive Unstoppables project by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine was implemented in partnership with the NGO STEP, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) under the Supporting Inclusive Recovery for Human Security and Resilience in Ukraine programme, funded by the Government of Japan.