Ukraine

Intellias Joins Initiative to Develop Para Ice Hockey in Ukraine  

Vira Kachmar
News
August 4, 2025

On August 4, 2025, a tripartite memorandum of cooperation was signed in Lviv between the Lviv City Council, Intellias, and the Ukrainian Para Ice Hockey Federation.  

The partnership aims to support development of para ice hockey in Ukraine, including activities of the Unbroken team. Unbroken currently has 15 members, including veterans and civilians with disabilities. It is Ukraine’s first para ice 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 Para Ice Hockey Championships.  

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.

Andriy Sadovyi
Mayor of Lviv

Currently, Unbroken trains several 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 rentals, transportation, and coaches’ salaries. 

As part of the company’s support for veterans and veteran-led initiatives, Intellias is joining the council’s program 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 memorandum 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.

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 unbreakable is not just a word — it’s a way of life.

Halyna Kuryvko
Vice President of Para Ice Hockey Club Unbroken

For now, Unbroken 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. The team is determined to represent Ukraine at the World Para Ice Hockey Championships.  

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.

Yevhen Shvab
member of Unbroken

Yevhen 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 awayfinding balance is hard at first. But that shouldn’t stop you.

Yevhen Shvab
member of Unbroken

Para ice hockey is part of the Paralympic Games. In Ukraine, it is developing thanks to the efforts of veterans and sports organizations. Playing sledge hockey leads to 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.

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 in other cities across Ukraine, including Vinnytsia, Lutsk, Cherkasy, and Odesa. 

Intellias has developed an internal veteran support policy and implemented a comprehensive program to adapt internal processes to the needs of team members with combat experience. Through the Family Resilience Community, Intellias supports employees whose loved ones serve in the Ukrainian Defense Forces, are veterans, or have been affected by the war. The company also contributes to the national movement to foster a culture of remembrance and respect within corporate environments.

About Intellias   

Intellias is a global technology company with over 3,000 specialists who combine engineering craftsmanship and technology expertise to solve challenges of any nature, scale, and complexity. The company has development centers in Poland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Spain, Portugal, Colombia, and India, along with representative offices in Germany, the USA, the UK, and the United Arab Emirates. Intellias contributes to the success of leading global brands including HERE Technologies, Omio, BrainStorm Inc., Elmos, TomTom, HelloFresh, and Travis Perkins. Forbes, EY, Great Place to Work, and other reputable organizations regularly name Intellias one of the best IT employers, and the company has been recognized as a world-class technology leader by the IAOP, UK IT Industry Awards, and Inc. 5000 Europe.  

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