Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, made a surprise visit to the Superhumans Centre in Lviv, Ukraine, last Thursday, April 10. This visit came right after his attendance at a high court proceeding in London that was addressing his security arrangements while in the U.K. The experience offered a unique look into the diverse, supportive environment at the clinic that keeps patients coming back. It had a strong programmatic angle, focusing on the rehabilitation efforts for those impacted by war.
Superhumans Centre as the new inclusive organization had been established by its CEO Olga Rudneva. Its expertise lies in providing free prosthetics, orthopedic surgeries, and psychological treatment to wounded service members and civilians. Prince Harry was given a tour of the facility, where he spoke with patients and medical professionals. He got to know the surgical team and see how the clinic helps people impacted by the persistent conflict.
While there, Prince Harry had a chance to meet with Ukraine’s Minister of Veterans Affairs, Natalia Kalmykova. Their discussion underscored the need for rehabilitative care for veterans and the realities they endure in a combat zone. The Superhumans Centre has a key role to play in that – providing best-in-class, comprehensive support to anyone who needs it.
Prince Harry’s connection to the Superhumans Centre started last year when Rudneva extended an invitation to him. That bond cemented itself further during last February’s Invictus Games Vancouver-Whistler. The centre is integral to the Invictus Games movement, which Prince Harry founded in 2014 to support wounded service members through sports and rehabilitation.
Additionally, Prince Harry interacted with members of the Ukrainian Invictus community, including Yulia (Taira) Paievska, a competitor representing Team Ukraine. His engagement with these individuals underscored his commitment to raising awareness about the challenges faced by veterans and civilians alike in Ukraine.
Accompanied by a contingent from the Invictus Games Foundation, including four veterans with similar rehabilitation experiences, Prince Harry’s visit emphasized solidarity and support for those undergoing rehabilitation. The inclusion of these veterans was the perfect reminder that we are all on the same path toward recovery and healing.