Ambassador of Ukraine Yaroslav Melnyk took part in the initial stage of a project for the rehabilitation and reintegration of veterans of Ukraine’s Defence and Security Forces, as well as civilians who sustained severe injuries as a result of Russia’s full-scale aggression. The project is being implemented with the support of the Mechelen City Hall and the Belgian sports association Anvasport as part of the partnership between the twin cities of Mechelen and Lviv.
Ambassador of Ukraine underlined the importance of this initiative for Ukrainian war veterans and injured civilians: “It is truly inspiring to see our veterans acquire new skills that enable them to support others on their path to recovery. For many Ukrainian veterans, rehabilitation is not only a physical challenge but also a mental struggle. This programme is far more than technical training — it renews their strength and brings determination, purpose, self-confidence and new opportunities to people who have suffered severe injuries. It is immensely valuable that European cities like Mechelen show such visible commitment to our injured veterans. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the City of Mechelen and its Mayor, Mr Bart Somers, for his personal dedication to supporting Ukraine, as well as to all Belgian partners who make such programmes possible. This support and solidarity show that we are not alone.”
Speaking with Ukrainian veterans and commenting on the implementation of the initiative, the Mayor of Mechelen Mr. Bart Somers emphasized: “ This is about much more than sport. It is about dignity, recovery and perspective for people who gave part of their their bodies and their lives for the freedom of others — for our freedom. From day one, Mechelen has taken a clear stand for Ukraine. We were the first city to build an emergency village and the first to create a sister-city partnership. What we see today is that this is not just the city acting — it is an entire community: police, fire brigade, service clubs, hospitals, volunteers, entrepreneurs… They are making this cooperation stronger and more tangible. That is the power of solidarity.”
As part of the programme, three week-long training camps are planned for 2026 for Ukrainian war veterans and civilians who have sustained severe injuries. After the training, the initiative is expected to be expanded in Ukraine in order to reach more people in need of comprehensive rehabilitation and support.