From February 20 to March 3, 2026, the national team of veterans will travel to the United States for the Marine Corps & Air Force Trials, an annual sporting event for wounded servicemembers and veterans of the US Air Force and Marine Corps.
The format of the Marine Corps & Air Force Trials is based on the principle of adaptive sports: all disciplines are tailored to the individual abilities of wounded military personnel and veterans to ensure that the competition is fair, safe, and competitive.
Artem Peredereev from Donetsk Oblast is a member of the Ukrainian team.
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs introduces the Ukrainian team that will represent our country at the competition and tells the story of veteran Artem Peredereev. He is from Pokrovskyi Raion in Donetsk Oblast and now lives in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. For Artem, sport became a path to recovery, inner balance, and independence after a serious injury.
Artem enlisted in the spring of 2024 and served in the third assault brigade. During his first combat mission, he was wounded, after which his service ended, and a difficult period of treatment and rehabilitation lay ahead.
Before his injury, sports did not play a significant role in his life — he lacked time due to work. However, he always loved movement and challenging himself: "I always liked to overcome myself. When it's hard, when you want to stop — push yourself to the limit to overcome yourself," says the veteran.
After his injury, sports took on a whole new meaning. His rehabilitation focused on developing physical strength to regain maximum independence. He started with classes at the hospital, then moved on to his first CrossFit competitions. At that point, only five months had passed since his injury, and his rehabilitation had lasted two months. Despite this, Artem decided to give it a try — and took third place. From that moment on, sport gradually became a part of his life. He set new goals, started training, and strove to improve his results.
Today, Artem is actively involved in powerlifting, archery, training with a team, and trying his hand at hockey. He spends a significant part of his time on the move — every day he can cover up to 20 kilometers in a wheelchair: "I am constantly on the move. Even if there is an opportunity to go by car, I prefer to go in a wheelchair." He receives a lot of support from his family — his wife and daughter, who often accompany him to competitions.
According to Artem, the most difficult thing was adapting his training to his new reality and physiological limitations. But it was sport that helped him find balance and believe in his own strength.
For him, being part of the national team is first and foremost an honor and a responsibility: "It's an honor for me to represent Ukraine. It is important to show that even people with amputations can do more." He emphasizes that not having legs does not mean weakness. "I want to show guys like me that it is possible. Life does not end there," says Artem. Being part of the team is an opportunity for him to speak through his own example and inspire others to move forward.
He advises veterans who are hesitant and afraid to take their first step in sports not to look for easy ways: "If it's hard, it means you're going up. It's easy to go down. If you want to achieve something, you have to overcome yourself."
The formation, training, and participation of the Ukrainian national team is carried out by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine in conjunction with the Come Back Alive Initiative Center, with the support of Ukrgasbank, in accordance with the Veteran Policy Strategy and the implementation of the National Strategy for the Creation of a Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine, developed at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska.
Based on materials from the Ministry of Veterans Affairs