ARLINGTON, Va. — A group of active-duty members of the Ukrainian armed forces crossed the finish line Sunday at the 50th Marine Corps Marathon.
Another of their brothers in arms was supposed to be with them, but he recently died in combat. The Ukraine defenders — Yaroslav, Andrii, Velisha, Andrii, Volodymyr and Oleksandr, plus Maj Gen. (Ret.) Volodymyr Havrylov — ran in his honor, getting him across the finish line in spirit.
“That’s the reality of war,” said Yaroslav, who finished first from Team Ukraine with a time of 2:41:23.
The soldiers’ last names were not disclosed for safety reasons, according to an official from United Help Ukraine, because they are actively serving in combat. United Help Ukraine is a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian, medical and psychological aid to people affected by the ongoing conflict.
Members of the Ukrainian armed forces prepare to run the 50th annual Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, on the streets of Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Team Ukraine, which is sponsored by UHU, came from the front lines to run alongside almost 40,000 runners in the nation’s capital as a show of strength and resilience.
Members of the Ukrainian armed forces have been running in the Marine Corps Marathon since 2016, but this is the first year that active-duty troops have participated. All seven were recommended by their military commanders.
“A lot of the Marines during the race welcomed us, and many sent their best regards to us personally. It’s emotionally very touching and contributes to their (the Ukrainian soldiers’) mental recovery,” said Havrylov, a former deputy defense minister. Havrylov was awarded the U.S. Legion of Merit in 2019.
The active-duty soldiers, who are wounded and have sustained injuries from the war, will return home Monday to continue defending their homeland.
“We are standing not only thanks to our own courage and our own strength, but because of the support of the world and America,” Yaroslav said.
Severely wounded Ukrainian veterans who are currently undergoing rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center supported their countrymen from the sidelines.
Wounded Ukrainian military veteran, Oleksandr Vykhruk, and his wife Olga, join members from United Help Ukraine to support active-duty Ukrainian soldiers participating in the 50th Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday Oct. 26, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Kaylyn Barnhart-Batista/Stars and Stripes)
One of the veterans, Oleksandr Vykhruk, served in the Assault Brigade in the Donetsk region in Ukraine when he lost both of his arms and right leg during combat in 2023.
With the Ukrainian flag draped proudly over his shoulders, Vykhruk and his wife, Olga, reminded the world at the race that Ukraine is still at war.
“Ukraine exists, Ukraine will win and Ukraine will remain undefeated,” Vykhruk said.
The full-scale war began in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.
The conflict is the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II; tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the invasion.
A member of the Ukrainian Defenders prepares to run the 50th annual Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, on the streets of Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
On Sunday, Russia targeted Ukraine’s capital with drones, killing three people in their homes. At least 29 people were wounded.
The Ukrainian defenders made a point of saying thanks to the U.S. military and U.S. citizens for all the support — but more weapons would sure help.
President Donald Trump recently mentioned the possibility of sending Tomahawks to Ukraine, which would allow Ukrainian forces to strike deeper into Russian territory.
But after Trump’s latest call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 16, he said he was reluctant to send Ukraine the missile system, at least for now. He suggested stockpiles were limited and the U.S. not have missiles to spare, according to The Associated Press.
“We are here to show our resilience, and to request more weapons that Americans can trust us with, so we can effectively destroy our enemy,” Vykhruk said. “We are very grateful to the American military for supporting the Ukrainian military.”
A member of the Ukrainian Defenders races toward the finish line during the 50th annual Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
