The trip to Krakow and attendance at the match were made possible thanks to the UAF’s social program “We Support Our Own,” aimed at supporting and rehabilitating Ukrainian defenders through sport. For many of them, this was their first experience attending a football match in general or watching the national team live.
13 жовтня представники підрозділу «Омега» Національної гвардії України - діючі військові, ветерани й ветеранки, - а також родини полеглих воїнів відвідали матч збірної України проти Азербайджану в межах відбору ЧС-2026, що відбувся в Кракові. Поїздка представників «Омеги» у Краків та присутність на грі стали можливими завдяки соціальній програмі УАФ «Вболіваємо за своїх», що спрямована на підтримку та реабілітацію українських захисників і захисниць через спорт. Для багатьох із них це був перший досвід відвідування футбольного матчу загалом або поєдинку збірної України. Так, Сергій Козаченко, одесит, колишній спецпризначенець окремого загону «Омега», ветеран із позивним «Козак» пройшов шлях від солдата до підполковника, почавши службу ще далекого 2007 року. Він виконував бойові завдання в Донецькій і Луганській областях, брав участь у визволенні Харківської області, за що був нагороджений президентом медалями «За військову службу Україні» та «За оборону України».
Serhii Kozachenko, an Odesa native and former special forces member of the “Omega” unit, a veteran with the call sign “Kozak,” has risen from soldier to lieutenant colonel since beginning his service back in 2007. He carried out combat missions in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and took part in the liberation of the Kharkiv region, for which he was awarded the medals “For Military Service to Ukraine” and “For the Defense of Ukraine” by the President.
“Just a few days ago, I was watching the national team play against Iceland at home, worrying and cheering… And now I’m seeing it all live. The last time I attended a match was probably when Zorya played Manchester City in Odesa at the Chornomorets Stadium - I was on duty maintaining order at the arena back then. Trips like this are moral and psychological rehabilitation for the military. You can feel the spirit of victory not only on the battlefield, but beyond it. And you want our team to fight just as hard and give us positive emotions. Thanks to the guys for the win,” said Serhii Kozachenko.
One of the most passionate fans in the stands was Olha Polishchuk, who served from 2018 to 2024 as an officer in the S-4 logistics section of the “Omega” special unit. She was discharged for health reasons and returned home to her daughter, who had been growing up without her mother for three years.
Serhii Nazarenko, an officer of the “Omega” Special Purpose Center, was wounded in 2024, sustaining a traumatic amputation as a result of an anti-personnel mine explosion.
“I always watched football on TV - maybe some local district competitions. But I had never been to a big match, so this is my first experience. New emotions, new feelings, new impressions. Trips like this are also a good way to show society that soldiers are just like everyone else. We can also rest, feel joy, experience new emotions, and support our national team. It’s also a way to reintegrate into the world,” said Serhii Nazarenko.
“I’m very, very excited - in a good way - because first of all, I’ve never been to a football match before, only watched on TV. This is our team, these guys represent our country, and we will support them. I believe sport is one of the most important ways to make ourselves visible, to show that we exist, that we are alive, and that we will keep fighting for ourselves. Events like this are extremely important for the military,” said Olha Polishchuk.
“The match was very beautiful, emotional, and quite challenging. The most important thing is that we still won. The guys carry out an important mission on the international stage - to show the world Ukraine. And today they proved once again that we are the best,” emphasized Kostyantyn Kornitskyi, First Deputy Head of the Omega Special Purpose Center of the National Guard of Ukraine.
The UAF expresses its gratitude to the brand RIOTDIVISION for its support. Part of the proceeds from a charitable clothing collection dedicated to football fans was used to organize the trip.
Благодійна організація “Благодійний фонд “Фундація УАФ” є неприбутковою, недержавною організацією, засновником якою виступає Громадська Спілка “Українська Асоціація Футболу”
Політика конфіденційності
