487

As the world unites to celebrate the Olympics this summer, the war on Ukraine has had a profound and devastating impact on its sporting community.

The Minister of State for Europe, Stephen Doughty MP unveiled a powerful new display in Parliament Square to honour the 487 fallen Ukrainian athletes, whose lives have been claimed as a result of the war.

The war in Ukraine has had a devastating impact on Ukrainian athletes like Oksana Rakhra, a former Olympic freestyle wrestler. She’s seen her fellow sports stars have their dreams and careers cut short, and even their lives lost, as a result of the conflict.

At least 487 Ukrainian athletes have been killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The true number is likely higher and will continue to rise as the war continues.

Freuds+, Freud Communications and Proud Robinson + Partners are supporting the Foreign and Development Office to spotlight the experiences of athletes like Oksana and remember the fallen 487 Ukrainian athletes, at a time when the world prepares to unite and celebrate the world’s top sporting talent this summer.