On August 4, a tripartite memorandum of cooperation was signed in Lviv between the Lviv City Council, IT company Intellias, and the Ukrainian Para Ice Hockey Federation.
The partnership aims to support the development of para ice hockey in Ukraine, including the activities of the team “Unbroken”. The team currently has 15 members, including both veterans and civilians with disabilities. It is Ukraine’s first sledge hockey team — a form of adaptive hockey designed for people with disabilities.
The Lviv-based team was formed by war veterans from different parts of Ukraine who are undergoing rehabilitation in the city. They began training in early 2025 and aim to join the national team that will represent Ukraine at the 2026 World Championship.
“Oleksandr is one of our para ice hockey team members. Despite having a missing limb, he is equipped with high-quality prosthetics funded with support from Yana Stepanenko, who herself completed a marathon on prosthetics in Tokyo. Today, Oleksandr is an outstanding player on our UNBROKEN hockey team. When it comes to para ice hockey, we are fully committed to providing athletes the best possible conditions to train here in Lviv. By the end of the year, we plan to open a dedicated arena in the Sykhiv district. I am very proud that our team brought home their first award from Kyiv and that Lviv is home to the UNBROKEN para ice hockey team. Our goal is ambitious — to win the world championship next year and bring the medals to Lviv. We will do everything within our power and beyond, because when these are our heroes and veterans, all doors open for them“, said Andriy Sadovyi, Mayor of Lviv.
Currently, “Unbroken” train few times a week. Some sessions take place as part of the Lviv City Council’s Comprehensive Sports Program for Military Personnel, War Veterans, and Adaptive Sports. The program covers ice rink rental, transportation, and coaches’ salaries.
As part of its support for veterans and veteran-led initiatives, Intellias is joining the project and backing the “Unbroken” team. This partnership will provide the team with proper training conditions and quality equipment.
“At Intellias, we believe adaptive sports create a space for equal opportunities. They restore confidence, build resilience, and foster a sense of team. This tripartite cooperation marks the beginning of a long-term partnership and lays the groundwork for initiatives that truly make a difference in veterans’ lives. The example set by “Unbroken” will inspire many”, noted Vitaly Sedler, CEO and co-founder of Intellias.
“I’m proud of every veteran and every member of the “Unbroken” team. Their strength and resilience are truly inspiring. Their courage and determination are a powerful reminder that being unbreakable is not just a word — it’s a way of life”, said Halyna Kuryvko, Vice President of Para Ice Hockey Club “Nezlamni”.
For now, the team is focused on developing technical and tactical skills to improve their performance. Previously, five team members represented Ukraine at the World Para Ice Hockey Skills Development Camp in Slovakia. “Unbroken” are determined to represent Ukraine at the Para Ice Hockey World Championship.
“We plan to form several teams and are actively looking for new players. The more participants we have, the more engaging the tournaments will be, and the stronger our national team becomes,” says Yevhen Shvab, a member of the “Unbroken” team.
He adds that after being wounded, he tried various sports, but para ice hockey was exactly what he was looking for:
“When I get into the sled and onto the ice, I forget about everything else. The ice itself gives you energy. Para hockey is about speed, grit, and self-discipline. It’s also about teamwork and meeting new people. I always recommend just sitting in the sled and trying it out. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work right away—finding balance is hard at first. But that shouldn’t stop you“, Yevhen Shvab added.
Para ice hockey is part of the Paralympic Games. In Ukraine, it is developing thanks to the efforts of veterans and sports organizations. Playing sled hockey supports faster recovery after injuries or amputations, opens new opportunities for personal development, and builds social connections.
“In para ice hockey, we create more than just a team, we offer a chance. It’s a place where pain turns into strength, and each practice is a step toward a new, meaningful life, with purpose, dignity, and the support of a real family“, said Dmytro Smulianskyi, Head of the Ukrainian Para Ice Hockey Federation.
The Ukrainian Para Ice Hockey Federation invites veterans undergoing rehabilitation or those who have already completed it to join the sport. Recruitment is currently open for a Kyiv-based team. Teams are also planned to be formed in other cities across Ukraine, including Vinnytsia, Lutsk, Cherkasy, and Odesa.
About Intellias
Intellias is a global technology company with over 3000 specialists on board. We combine engineering craftsmanship and technology expertise to solve challenges of any nature, scale, and complexity. Our development centers are located in Poland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Spain, Portugal, Colombia, and India. We also have representative offices in Germany, the USA, the UK, and the United Arab Emirates. We are contributing to the success of the world’s leading brands, among which are HERE Technologies, Omio, BrainStorm Inc., Elmos, TomTom, HelloFresh and Travis Perkins. Intellias is regularly named one of the best IT employers by Forbes, EY, Great Place to Work, and other reputable organizations. Moreover, we’ve been recognized as a world-class technology leader by the IAOP, UK IT Industry awards and Inc. 5000 Europe.
On August 4, a tripartite memorandum of cooperation was signed in Lviv between the Lviv City Council, IT company Intellias, and the Ukrainian Para Ice Hockey Federation. The partnership aims to support the development of para ice hockey in Ukraine, including the activities of the team “Unbroken”. The team currently has 15 members, including both […]
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