A ‘Run in Vyshyvankas’ was held in Khmelnytskyi in honour of all Ukraine’s fallen defenders

A total of 140 participants took part in the run — veterans, families of fallen soldiers, young people, representatives of the authorities, the security forces, the general public, and anyone else who enjoys running and honours Ukrainian culture and traditions. They gathered at Mykhailo Chekman Park not only to complete the chosen distance, but also to honour the memory of those who gave their lives for Ukraine.

In civilian life, Oleksii Chornobai was involved in industrial mountaineering. In May 2023, he was called up into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade ‘Magura’ as a gunner and deputy crew commander of a Bradley fighting vehicle.

Oleksii, aged 36, was killed on 7 August 2024 whilst carrying out a combat mission in the village of Novozhelanne in the Donetsk region.

The event also featured a ‘memorial table’, where participants could leave the names, call signs and messages about their fallen relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms. In this way, the organisers sought to honour the people thanks to whom Ukraine continues to live and fight.

As is tradition, residents of Khmelnytskyi were joined by guests from the twin city of Prague 6. Participants ran distances of 2.5 or 5 kilometres at a pace that suited them. For the run, they wore blue and yellow T-shirts featuring an embroidered shirt design.

Representatives of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Veterans’ Club, led by its president, Viktor Flentin, who is also the first deputy head of the regional branch of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, also took part in the event.

Each participant received a commemorative finisher’s medal and gifts from the organisers — the non-governmental organisation ‘Iron Club’ and the Department of Youth and Sport of the Khmelnytskyi City Council. Prizes from the event’s partners were also raffled off amongst the participants.

The event was organised for charitable purposes. All funds raised will go towards supporting the Ukrainian armed forces, in particular the 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade ‘Magura’, where Oleksii Chornobai served.