Григорій Козловський 
On the initiative of FC “Ruh” and its founder, Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy, the fourth “Heroes Cup 2026” charity soccer tournament was held as part of the celebrations for Ukraine’s Defenders’ Day. The event brought together defenders, veterans, Ukrainian soccer stars, and fans, raising 600,000 hryvnias for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Unity on the Soccer Field and Support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy noted that the main goal of the tournament was to support Ukrainian servicemembers and to create conditions for their mental and physical recovery.
“FC Ruh always supports our military. Hosting charity tournaments and auctions is our way of raising funds for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The soldiers who participated in the tournament had the opportunity to relax and enjoy the game. We strive not only to provide financial assistance but also to bring people joy. Each of us must do everything possible to support our defenders,” emphasized the founder of the “yellow-and-blacks.”
Six teams competed for the tournament title:
- 7th Carpathian Border Guard Detachment,
- the 6th Volyn Border Guard Detachment,
- the National Guard of Ukraine’s “Omega-West” Special Forces Unit,
- Lviv Lyceum Named After the Heroes of Kruty,
- Ruh Media Team,
- the Lviv Regional State Administration / Lviv Regional Council team.
Well-known Ukrainian soccer players also took the field: Mykola Morozuk, Mykhailo Kopolovets, Maksym Feshchuk, Valerii Fedorchuk, and Serhii Rybalka.
In addition to the sporting events, a charity auction was a key part of the event. Among the unique items up for auction were an exclusive watch from the “Omega-West” special forces unit and an “Omega × Motif” embroidered shirt. All 600,000 hryvnias raised will be directed toward the needs of the “Shkval” Special Forces Unit of the 7th Carpathian Border Guard Detachment and the “Omega” special forces unit.
A Space for Rehabilitation and Mutual Support
The event was attended by servicemen who are currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at the Lviv Military Medical Clinical Center of the State Border Guard Service and at a sanatorium in Nemirov. For them, the “Heroes’ Cup” provided an opportunity to meet with fellow soldiers, socialize, and take a break from the daily rigors of combat.
Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy, founder of FC “Ruh,” emphasized that this tournament has already become a cherished tradition that will continue to grow.
“It’s truly wonderful that we’ve been able to bring together, as is our tradition, the soldiers who defend us and our country. We honor and respect our defenders, especially those who are currently on the front lines. We do all of this for them as well, and we’re always looking forward to seeing them. By playing soccer today, we’ve been raising funds for the fourth year in a row, and we’ll continue to hold the ‘Heroes’ Cup.’ I hope we’ll be able to do even more next year. “The guys played soccer, got to know each other, recovered a bit, recharged, and moved forward with renewed energy,” said Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy.
“Heroes’ Cup” – About Support, Brotherhood, and Renewed Strength
The tournament’s atmosphere combined athletic competition, support from the stands, and informal interaction between military personnel and civilians. A special highlight for the participants was the opportunity to play alongside well-known Ukrainian soccer players.
One of the servicemen noted that such gatherings help not only to relax but also to feel a connection with the society for which the military continues to fight: “Events like these give us the opportunity to recover after combat operations—not only physically but also mentally. Thanks to the military, our country is alive, thriving, and continues to fight the aggressor. It’s really great to have soccer stars like Mykhailo Kopolovets, Serhiy Rybalko, and Maksym Feshchuk running alongside us on the field. We used to watch them on TV, cheering for the national team, for “Karpaty,” for other clubs, and for “Dynamo.” And now we’re playing right here alongside them—it’s just awesome.”
Previously, Hryhoriy Kozlovskyy, together with Emily Resort, bolstered the reconnaissance capabilities of the 45th Brigade. The philanthropist donated a modernized Shark to the 45th Brigade.
