Prince Harry surprises Ukraine with visit to rehabilitation center
The visit was discreetly planned, with details of the trip only being revealed after Prince Harry had already left Ukraine.
Prince Harry made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Thursday to meet victims of the ongoing war and witness firsthand the support and rehabilitation efforts in place for wounded civilians and military personnel.
The Duke of Sussex visited the Superhumans Center in Lviv, where he had the opportunity to speak with both patients and medical professionals about the clinic’s life-changing services.
The visit was discreetly planned, with details of the trip only being revealed after Prince Harry had already left Ukraine.
He was joined by a group from the Invictus Games Foundation, including four veterans who had undergone similar rehabilitation processes themselves.
Superhumans Center, located in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, has been a crucial resource for many who have been injured by Russian missile attacks.
It provides free services including reconstructive surgeries, prosthetics, and psychological support for both military personnel and civilians.
The Prince's visit was coordinated through an invitation from Olga Rudneva, the Chief Executive of the Superhumans Center, at the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver Whistler.
During his visit, Prince Harry met with several patients, medical staff, and even Ukraine's Minister of Veterans Affairs, Natalia Kalmykova.
Rob Owen, the Chief Executive of the Invictus Games Foundation, shared that Ukraine has been an important partner in the Invictus Games since 2017, noting the ongoing dedication to supporting wounded veterans and service personnel.
"This visit to the Superhumans charity in Ukraine underscores the Invictus Games Foundation's broader commitment to supporting recovery and rehabilitation for wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans, even in the most challenging environments," Owen said.
Prince Harry’s involvement in the rehabilitation of veterans extends back to 2014, when he founded the Invictus Games to give wounded service members the opportunity to participate in international sports events.
The last Invictus Games, held in Vancouver, saw more than 500 athletes from 23 countries competing. The next games are scheduled to take place in Birmingham in 2027.
This surprise visit to Ukraine makes Prince Harry the second royal to visit the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
Last year, the Duchess of Edinburgh also visited Kyiv.
Additionally, Prince Harry’s father, King Charles, welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his estate in Norfolk earlier this year.
The Prince of Wales, Harry's brother, also visited Ukrainian refugees during a two-day trip to Estonia last month.
Through these visits, the royal family has continued to show their support for Ukraine, emphasizing both emotional and practical assistance to those impacted by the ongoing war.