Prince Harry Makes Surprise Visit to Kyiv to Support Wounded Ukrainians
Prince Harry arrived unexpectedly in Kyiv on Friday after an invitation from Ukraine’s government and the Superhumans Centre, an organization helping war-injured Ukrainians. The Duke of Sussex, accompanied by his Invictus Games Foundation team, plans to announce new initiatives focused on the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. "We cannot stop the war but what we can do is do everything we can to help the recovery process," he told The Guardian during the overnight train journey to the capital.
This marks Harry’s first visit to Kyiv, though he previously visited Lviv in April to see Superhumans’ work firsthand. Olga Rudnieva, the centre's founder, greeted him upon arrival, offering him a traditional podstakannik as a welcome gesture. Harry said Rudnieva told him, "the biggest impact you have is coming to Kyiv," which led him to seek permission from both his wife and the UK government before making the trip. He’s expected to meet with around 200 veterans and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, and will also visit Ukraine’s WWII history museum.
The visit comes just days after Harry’s brief return to the UK, where he met his father King Charles for the first time in over a year. At the same time, his Archewell Foundation announced a $500,000 donation to support injured children in Ukraine and Gaza, helping fund medical evacuations and prosthetics. The timing of his visit, combined with the donation, underscores Harry’s ongoing commitment to spotlighting the human cost of war. "We have to keep it in the forefront of people’s minds," he said.
