Prince Harry praises war veterans on surprise visit to Ukraine

That included an innovation for Mykhailo Damaskin, a Ukrainian air assault forces veteran, who was so seriously injured in fighting in Kherson he was never expected to walk again.In an experimental treatment he had a spinal cord stimulator implanted in his back, which allows him to walk, but has to be re-charged every 12 hours. He cannot feel his feet and controls his steps using his eyes.He needs to be plugged in and charged up to be able to move - and jokes that he is "like a demo model of a Tesla"."My goal is to go to the Invictus Games. I promised my father before he was killed that I'd be part of the team to represent Ukraine internationally."I'll prove to every guy with spinal cord injuries that life goes on after injury," said Mykhailo.At the Superhumans Center Prince Harry sat at the bedside of Konstiantyn Vlasenko, who was airlifted from the front line by a drone last month in a rescue that was a first of its kind.He had been alone for more than 200 days and had stayed at his position, despite losing both his feet.In a moving encounter, Prince Harry told him he represented the spirit of resilience of Ukraine.And he described the injured veterans as "role models", promising his audience: "The rest of the world will continue to support you."Along with all the determination, it was an inescapably poignant sight too, with so many families and children at the medical facility visiting the growing numbers of badly injured war casualties."Every single time I come back to Ukraine, I feel welcome, I feel warmth, I feel encouragement," he said, having returned for a fourth trip here during wartime.He promised that "when the war is over and when Ukraine wins, we will be ready to support you in holding an Invictus Games".There have been 400 wounded service men and women in Ukraine taking part in trials for next year's games, being hosted in Birmingham.The sports events are an attempt to encourage rehabilitation and to recognise the resilience of people overcoming their challenges.Prince Harry told a gathering of new Invictus members of a "cultural shift" from people being socially awkward about seeing injured veterans to wanting to show respect."These people have so much to offer," he said."Recovery cannot wait for the war to end, The scale of need in Ukraine is huge, and wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans need the chance to rebuild their lives now," said Rob Owen, chief executive officer of the Invictus Games Foundation.