Sports of Donetsk Region in Times of Challenges: Development, Support, and New Opportunities
Deputy heads of military administrations of settlements in Donetsk region, district state administrations, and district military administrations took part in a video conference held on April 8. Heads of physical culture and sports departments of territorial communities, as well as leaders of regional and local sports organizations, also joined the event.
Deputy Head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration Ihor Boiko thanked the sports community and community leaders and emphasized the expansion of support for important initiatives.
“We continue to expand opportunities for regular physical activity for different population groups. In particular, by developing adaptive sports, we promote the rehabilitation of war veterans and civilians injured as a result of hostilities. We actively engage school youth in sports through city and regional stages of the ‘Side by Side: All-Ukrainian School Leagues’ competitions. Honoring the memory of defenders, we are preparing to hold the physical culture and wellness event ‘Honoring Warriors, Running for the Heroes of Ukraine.’ Digitalization also remains an important focus, including submitting statistical reports under Form 2-FC through the Electronic Register of Sports Organizations,” Ihor Boiko noted.
Head of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports of the Donetsk Regional State Administration Volodymyr Mytsyk stressed that, thanks to the Defense Forces of Ukraine and the support of regional leadership, despite all difficulties, the implementation of state programs in physical culture and sports continues. These programs are aimed at both mass sports development and elite sports.
For internally displaced persons from the Donetsk region, with the support of 32 communities, 69 locations have been organized for regular physical culture and sports activities. At the same time, youth sports school sections operate at 149 locations across 58 settlements in Ukraine (a list of training locations is available on Google Maps: http://surl.li/svyfgy and on the official website of the Donetsk Regional State Administration: https://dn.gov.ua/korisna-informaciya-dlya-vpo/perelik-sportivnih-sekcij-dlya-vpo-donechchini.
As of now in 2026, 34 regional competitions have been held outside Donetsk region. Athletes from the region have won 84 medals (including 40 gold) at 45 international events, and 685 medals (including 292 gold) at 140 national competitions.
On the day of the video conference, Volodymyr Mytsyk also met with Head of the Oleksandrivka Settlement Military Administration Liudmyla Borysevych and Secretary of the Settlement Council Vasyl Lukianchykov. They discussed current issues in the development of sports in the Oleksandrivka community.
Participants of the conference reviewed reports on physical culture and sports activities for March and discussed future plans. In particular, they focused on organizing sports and wellness activities for community residents, primarily in relocation areas outside the region, holding events for internally displaced persons, as well as issues of structure, funding, and support for leading athletes and coaches.
During the event, attention was also given to current issues in the development of sports in the region. Reports were delivered by:
Deputy Head of the Department – Head of the Program Implementation Division Nataliia Tochylova;
Head of the Physical Culture and Sports Work Division Andrii Ivanov;
Deputy Director of the Donetsk Regional Center “Sport for All” Artem Panteleiev;
Director of the Regional Center for Physical Culture and Wellness Volodymyr Strashko.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, within the framework of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment by 2030, is implementing the flagship project “Active Parks: Locations of Barrier-Free Leisure.” The initiative covers all age groups and levels of physical ability—from children to the elderly, from youth to veterans and people with disabilities. Its goal is to create a safe and accessible environment for physical activity, support mental health, and promote social integration.
In Donetsk region, the submission of annual state statistical reporting under Form No. 2-FC has been completed. In 2026, communities carried out this process for the first time through the Electronic Register of Sports Organizations. The report includes key indicators of the sector’s development: the number of people engaged in sports institutions, clubs, and youth sports schools; the number of participants by sport; the number of employees in the sector, including coaches; and information about sports infrastructure. This enables a comprehensive assessment of the development of physical culture and sports and the level of public engagement in an active lifestyle.
The Donetsk Regional Center “Sport for All” continues to actively promote regular physical activity among residents. Training sessions and sports activities are organized for internally displaced persons and war veterans.
For participation in the new season of the country’s largest student competitions, “Side by Side: All-Ukrainian School Leagues” in the 2025–2026 academic year, 253 teams from 137 educational institutions in 38 communities have registered (compared to 100 teams from 37 institutions in 19 communities last year). City stages have been completed, and applications for the regional level in 10 sports are currently being formed, with competitions scheduled for May.
The physical culture and wellness event “Honoring Warriors, Running for the Heroes of Ukraine,” traditionally dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine, brought together over 4,000 participants from Donetsk region in 2025, demonstrating the region’s high level of engagement. In 2026, the run is planned for August 29, with registration to open in advance for distances of 2, 5, and 10 km.
Despite all challenges, Donetsk region confidently maintains its sporting spirit, proving that movement, unity, and strength of spirit remain an unbreakable foundation of both the present and the future.