The russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been going on for the 425th day. Despite all the difficulties of wartime, one should try not to forget the basic principles of support and a sense of fullness of life. After all, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are primarily fighting for us to continue living our normal lives. Thus, Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy, the honorary president of FC ‘Ruh’ (Lviv), not only continuously helps the military, but also cares about the future generation of Ukrainians. The patron supports the Academy of ‘black and yellow’ and continues to develop football in this difficult time. He also dreams that the main team of the club will be formed from the students of the youth football academy, which he founded.

On February 24, the first day of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 350 pupils from different parts of the country, including from the east and south of our country, were in the academy. Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy left the students of the academy in Vynnyky (there is the base of FC ‘Ruh’), fully taking care of them, providing them with housing and the educational process.

In April Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy sent the young ‘Ruh’ U-11 team to Italy for the prestigious Universal Youth Cup international tournament. 64 teams from various leading European academies took part in the large-scale competition, including representatives of ‘Juventus’, ‘Milan’, ‘PSG’, ‘Liverpool’, ‘Ajax’ and many others.

“We will come there and win,” said the little athletes before the trip.

After arrival the ‘Ruh’ players were accommodated in apartments with all amenities. ‘Yellow and black’ took part in the opening of the international tournament.

“We are here. And we show how strong and independent Ukraine is. Let’s hope that the war will end soon,” says the little player of ‘Ruh’.

The team walked through a crowded street, waving the Ukrainian flag.

On the first day of the game the ‘yellow and black’ played against Albania.

“My family, coaches, team, friends and the fact that I represent Ukraine motivate me,” says the U-11 player.

The Ukrainians won against Red Yupi with a crushing score of 4:0. Zhadayev scored a double, and Berun and Prokopenko scored a goal each.

The U-11 ‘Ruh’ finished the group stage in the first place, winning against two Italian teams, leaving no chance for the opponents.

“We beat them because we are the ‘Ruh’ and we have a spirit,” that’s how the football players commented on their victory.

Little Ukrainians managed not only to score devastating goals, but also to rest. Athletes received many impressions and emotions during the sea trip. And then they continued training and fighting for a place in the standings.

‘Ruh’ players had time to play with the Italian ‘Atlanta’ and ‘Spezia’, and then faced the representatives of one of the best football academies in Europe – Amsterdam’s ‘Ajax’. The ‘yellow and black’ lost to them with a score of 0:3.

“Such tournaments are invaluable experience. We played against strong teams,” Markiyan Shkraba, a senior coach of the Football Academy ‘Ruh’ U-11, shared his impressions.

As a result, ‘Ruh’ U-11 took 11th place at the prestigious Universal Youth Cup tournament and returned to their native Ukraine in a great mood.

In 2009, the philanthropist took under his care the adult and youth teams of the ‘Ruh’ football club in the city of Vynnyky, actively sponsors and supports its development. In 2010, he became the president of FC ‘Ruh’ (Lviv).

Under the aegis of the businessman, FC ‘Ruh’ became a four-time champion of the Premier League of the Lviv region among amateurs (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015). ‘Ruh’ also became the winner of the Cup of the Lviv region three times (2012, 2014, 2015), the winner of the Super Cup of the region (2013), the winner of the memorial of the most successful coach in the history of the Lviv ‘Karpaty’ Ernest Yust (2012, 2013, 2024). On October 17, 2014, the ‘Ruh’ club became the champion of Ukraine in football among amateur teams for the first time in its history.

In 2010-2014, Kozlovskyy played for ‘Ruh’ as a football player in the Premier League of the Lviv region. In 2013, played 1 match in the amateur championship of Ukraine.

In July 2016, FC ‘Ruh’ made its debut in the second league of the championship of Ukraine, took a second place at the end of the season and immediately received a ticket to the First League of Ukrainian football.

FC ‘Ruh’ played in the First League for the next three seasons, in 2019 the team moved to Lviv and changed its emblem. According to the results of the 2019/2020 season, ‘Ruh’ took second place and won the right to play in the Ukrainian Premier League.

In the 2020/2021 season, FC ‘Ruh’ took 10th place in the Premier League, scoring 28 points in 26 rounds. The next season 2021/2022 was interrupted due to russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, the team took 11th place.

In the 2021/22 season, ‘Ruh’ juniors took first place in the Ukrainian U-19 Championship, earning the right to represent the club in the UEFA Youth League. The FC ‘Ruh’ U-19 team reached the 1/8 finals of the UEFA Youth League, losing to FC ‘Milan’ on February 28, 2023 with a score of 0:1.

By the way, the eldest son of Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy, Svyatoslav, plays football professionally. Since 2020, he has been a striker for ‘Ruh’. Previously, he played for Kharkiv’s ‘Metalist’.