Prince Harry salutes wounded Ukrainian veterans as 'role models' on surprise Ukraine visit

LVIV, Ukraine - Britain's Prince Harry praised wounded Ukrainian veterans as society's role models on Sunday during his surprise visit to the war-torn country. This marked his fourth trip to Ukraine since the war began and his second time in the western city of Lviv, where he met patients and staff at the Superhumans Center, an orthopedic clinic treating injured military personnel and civilians.

Harry, a British Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, emphasized that the nation must continue supporting these veterans after they retire from service. During the Invictus Games trials, a Paralympic-style event he founded to inspire injured military veterans worldwide, Harry witnessed wheelchair rugby and pickleball competitions featuring athletes with prosthetic limbs.

He joined a player with an amputated arm in a paddle game against two men who had each lost a leg, asserting that Vasilii Oleksandr, a 49-year-old veteran from Odesa with an amputated leg, approached the game enthusiastically.

The Duke of Sussex expressed admiration for Ukrainian resilience and hoped for a swift end to the conflict. He stated that the world would continue supporting Ukraine, declaring them to be already victorious in his mind. Harry met Kostiantyn Vlasenko, the first Ukrainian airlifted by drone from the frontlines near the village of Synkivka in Kharkiv region.

Vlasenko, who suffered severe injuries in February, lost both his feet, including one he amputated himself. The soldier had remained hidden from Russian forces for 232 days and reported crucial observations to his fellow troops before being evacuated in early October.

"I have immense admiration and respect for you," Harry told Vlasenko.