Ukrainian Soldiers Watch Euro 2024 Soccer Match in Bunker

On June 17, 2024, eight Ukrainian National Guard soldiers took a break from the battlefield in northern Kharkiv to watch their national soccer team play against Romania in the European Championship. Despite stalling a Russian offensive in Vovchansk, their morale faced a blow as Ukraine lost 3-0.

The soldiers and other Ukrainians find solace and unity in their national soccer team amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. Andriy Shevchenko, president of Ukraine’s soccer federation, emphasized the importance of sports during wartime.

Ukraine, which has not hosted home games since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022, barely qualified for the tournament. Damaged sports facilities and disrupted leagues highlight the wider impact of the conflict. During the game, some soldiers watched from the front lines using improvised setups.

The match marked Ukraine’s fourth appearance in the Euro Championship and was played in Munich, Germany. The soldiers, though disappointed by the loss, returned to the battlefield, expressing that the game offered a brief moment of normalcy and camaraderie. Ukraine’s next game is against Slovakia on Friday.