On June 7, on the day of a friendly match between the Denmark and Ukraine national teams in Odense, President of the Ukrainian Football Association Andriy Shevchenko met with Ukrainian servicemen undergoing treatment and rehabilitation in Denmark along with Ambassador of Ukraine to Denmark Andriy Yanovskyi and Mayor of Odense Peter Rahbæk Juel. Over 25 military personnel were present at the meeting — most of them sustained serious injuries on various fronts. Among the participants are fighters from Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, as well as from the Bakhmut, Kherson, and Kupyansk directions. Some came with their wives and children; one participant arrived in a wheelchair. The UFA provided tickets to the match for all meeting attendees.

Among those present was Andriy "Bezhemotik" Pupyshev, who served in eastern Ukraine, including near Druzhkivka and the Kupyansk direction. On March 23 during battles in Bakhmut, he sustained serious injuries from an explosion — facial burns and vision impairment, after which he was captured. He is now undergoing treatment and rehabilitation in Copenhagen and due to his health condition has significant physical limitations.

Another participant is 35-year-old Kharkiv resident Igor Khomenko, who went to the front on the first day of the full-scale invasion. He served in infantry and later became a pilot flying DJI Mavic drones for an aerial reconnaissance unit. In April 2025, he sustained serious injuries from a cluster bomb strike on his bunker: he spent two days in a coma, after which doctors amputated his leg and left index finger. He has been undergoing rehabilitation in Denmark for a year.

For the meeting attendees and match, this is an opportunity to leave the hospital environment, feel a connection with their homeland, and support the national team. "This is almost like supporting brothers on the front lines," Igor Khomenko says.

Thank you to the Embassy of Ukraine in Denmark for assistance with organizing the meeting.