Sports infrastructure in Ukraine during war and post-war reconstruction: Analysis, challenges, and modernisation mechanisms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34142/2709-7986.2025.30.2.12Keywords:
sports infrastructure, military aggression, restoration, modernisation, UkraineAbstract
Purpose. This study aims to develop viable strategies for the revival and modernisation of Ukraine’s sports infrastructure in the context of post-war reconstruction.
Methodology. A large amount of data was processed using methods of systematisation, comparative analysis and synthesis, including scientific publications, analytical reports (notably from the Kyiv School of Economics and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine), as well as regulatory and legal documents. A comparative analysis of quantitative data on damage caused and qualitative assessments of systemic problems was conducted. Additionally, the results of expert studies conducted using the Delphi method were considered, enabling the identification of critical needs and priority areas for industry development.
Results. It was established that large-scale military aggression caused extensive destruction of the Ukrainian sports infrastructure, resulting in consequences that extend beyond material losses. The analysis shows that the war exacerbated and intensified systemic shortcomings that existed long before February 2022, particularly uneven development, an outdated material and technical base, and a lack of clear state policy. The loss of infrastructure has led to a decline in physical activity, the depletion of human resources and the mass migration of athletes and coaches. It has been demonstrated that rebuilding outdated facilities alone is insufficient and will only perpetuate existing issues.
Conclusions. A true revival of the sports industry requires a fundamental transformation that includes systemic reforms, the diversification of funding sources (through international aid, public–private partnerships, and private investment), and innovative approaches. This includes creating multifunctional, energy-efficient and inclusive facilities that meet society’s modern needs. Investment in sport should be viewed as a strategic, long-term investment in human capital, psychological rehabilitation, and the restoration of national spirit.
Downloads
References
Andriienko, D., Goriunov, D., Hrudova, V., Markuts, Yu., Marshalyk, T., Neiter, R., Piddubny, I., Studennikova, I., & Topolskov, D. (2025). Zvit pro priami zbytky infrastruktury vid ruinuvan v naslidok viiskovoi ahresii Rosii proty Ukrainy stanom na lystopad 2024 roku [Report on direct infrastructure damages from destruction as a result of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine as of November 2024]. Kyiv School of Economics. https://kse.ua/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/KSE_Damages_Report-November-2024-UA.pdf [in Ukrainian].
Beleniuk, Zh. V. (2023). Suchasnyi stan sfery fizychnoho vykhovannia ta sportu ukrainy v umovakh viiskovoi ahresii rosii [The current state of physical education and sports in Ukraine in the context of Russia’s military aggression]. Publichne uriaduvannia – Public Administration, 1(34), 100–104. https://doi.org/10.32689/2617-2224-2023-1(34)-12 [in Ukrainian].
Chub, O., & Kreizer, I. (2023). Reconstruction of stadiums: A case study of Ukraine. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum, 22(3), 335–346. https://doi.org/10.31648/aspal.8372
Dariichuk, S. V., Tsybaniuk, O. O., & Nikolaychuk, O. P. (2025). Rozumnyi stadion yak aktualnyi pohliad na formuvannia profesiinykh sportyvnykh sporud suchasnosti [Smart Stadium as a Relevant Perspective on the Formation of Modern Professional Sports Facilities]. Akademichni vizii – Academic Visions, 41, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15106362 [in Ukrainian].
Donetsk Regional State Administration. (2024, February 9). Na Donechchyni bulo poshkodzheno abo zruinovano 74 sportyvnykh obiekta vnaslidok zbroinoi ahresii RF [In Donetsk region, 74 sports facilities were damaged or destroyed as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation] [Webpage]. https://dn.gov.ua/news/na-donechchini-bulo-poshkodzheno-abo-zrujnovano-74-sportivnih-obyekta-vnaslidok-zbrojnoyi-agresiyi-rf [in Ukrainian].
Hrynchenko, I. B., Sviertniev, O. A., Sobko, I. M., & Kozak, Ye. P. (2025a). Adaptyvni upravlinski pidkhody do vidnovlennia ta rozvytku sfery fizychnoi kultury i sportu v Ukraini v umovakh voiennoho chasu [Adaptive management approaches to restoring and developing physical culture and sports in Ukraine during wartime]. Pedahohichna akademiia: naukovi zapysky – Pedagogical Academy: Scientific Notes, 20. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16456672 [in Ukrainian].
Hrynchenko, I., Sobko, I., & Tiurin, I. (2025b). Current global trends and prospects for research in beach volleyball: An analytical review of the scientific literature. Educational Challenges, 30(1), 206–224. https://doi.org/10.34142/2709-7986.2025.30.1.13
Imas, E., Ratnikov, D., & Andriieva, O. (2022). Rozvytok sportyvnoi infrastruktury yak chynnyk zaluchennia riznykh hrup naselennia do ozdorovcho-rekreatsiinoi rukhovoi aktyvnosti [The development of sports infrastructure as a factor influencing the engagement of various population groups in health-enhancing recreational physical activity]. Teoriia i metodyka fizychnoho vykhovannia i sportu – Theory and Methods of Physical Education and Sport, 4, 27–30. https://doi.org/10.32652/tmfvs.2022.4.27-30 [in Ukrainian].
Kyiv School of Economics. (2024). Zvit pro priami zbytky infrastrukturyvid ruinuvan vnaslidok viiskovoi ahresii Rosii proty Ukrainystanom na pochatok 2024 roku [Report on direct infrastructure damages from destruction as a result of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine as of early 2024]. https://kse.ua/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/01.01.24_Damages_Report.pdf [in Ukrainian].
Kuvaldina, O., Sarkauskiene, A., Rybak, O., & et al. (2024). Top 10 needs of Ukraine’s Olympic sports in hostile conditions: a Delphi study. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 10, e001653. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001653
Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine. (2025, May 15). «Sport pid obstrilamy, ale neskorenyi»: Ukraina zaklykala zakhystyty sport u chasy viiny na zasidanni EPAS [Sport under fire but unconquered: Ukraine called to protect sport in times of war at an EPAS meeting]. https://mms.gov.ua/news/sport-pid-obstrilamy-ale-neskorenyi-ukraina-zaklykala-zakhystyty-sport-u-chasy-viiny-na-zasidanni-epas [in Ukrainian].
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2025, May 30). Pro skhvalennia Kontseptsii Derzhavnoi tsilovoi sotsialnoi prohramy rozvytku fizychnoi kultury i sportu na period do 2030 roku (Rozporiadzhennia № 525-r). [On the approval of the Concept of the State Target Social Program for the Development of Physical Culture and Sports for the period up to 2030. (Resolution No. 525-2025-r)]. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/525-2025-%D1%80 [in Ukrainian].
Michuda, Yu. P., Kharchuk, T. V., & Ratnikov, D. H. (2023). Normatyvno-pravove zabezpechennia finansuvannia rozvytku fizychnoi kultury ta sportu v Ukraini [Regulatory and legal support for financing the development of physical culture and sports in Ukraine]. In Stratehichne upravlinnia rozvytkom fizychnoi kultury i sportu – Strategic management of the development of physical culture and sports (pp. 177–183). Kharkivska derzhavna akademiia fizychnoi kultury. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371762014 [in Ukrainian].
Nikolaychuk, O. P., Dariichuk, S. V., & Tsybaniuk, O. O. (2024). Aktualni problemy sportyvnykh sporud: stvorennia seredovyshcha, oriientovanoho na profesiinoho sportsmena ta shliakhy yikh vyrishennia [Current Issues of Sports Facilities: Creating an Athlete‐Oriented Environment and Ways to Address Them]. Akademichni vizii – Academic Visions, 37. https://www.academy-vision.org/index.php/av/article/view/1711 [in Ukrainian].
Palchuk, O. (2025). Modernization of education in post-war Ukraine: Digitalization and implementation of best global reform practices. Educational Challenges, 30(2), 7–21. https://doi.org/10.34142/2709-7986.2025.30.2.01
Prykhodko, V., Dziubenko, M., Chekmarova, N. H., Cherniavska, O. A., & Chernihivska, S. (2024). Pokrashchennia stanu fizychnoi kultury i sportu v hromadakh pid chas viiny i povoiennoho vidnovlenn [Improvement of physical culture and sports in communities during the war and post-war recovery]. Naukovyi chasopys Ukrainskoho derzhavnoho universytetu imeni Mykhaila Drahomanova – Scientific Journal of Mykhailo Drahomanov Ukrainian State University. Series 15, 10(183), 181–188. https://doi.org/10.31392/UDU-nc.series15.2024.10(183).34 [in Ukrainian].
Shchokin, R. H., & Beleniuk, Zh. V. (2022). Suchasni tendentsii dydzhytalizatsii publichnoho upravlinnia u sferi fizychnoi kultury ta sportu [Modern trends of public administration digitalization in the field of physical culture and sports]. Publichne uriaduvannia – Public Management, 3(31), 102–109. https://doi.org/10.32689/2617-2224-2022-3(31)-14 [in Ukrainian].
Sobko, I., Adamchuk, V., Hrynchenko, I., & Bursala, T. (2025). Current status and prospects for the development of Ukraine’s sports infrastructure: an analytical review. Health technologies, 3(1), 36–44. https://doi.org/10.58962/HT.2025.3.1.36-44
Tsos, A. (2023). Restoration of the sphere of physical culture and sports of rural territorial communities based on the use of quality service management standards. Sports Bulletin of the Dnipro Region, (1), 165–176. https://doi.org/10.32540/2071-1476-2023-1-165 [in Ukrainian].
Tikhonchuk, L. Kh., Klimova, A. V., & Tsetsyk, Ya. P. (2024). Rol terytorialnykh hromad u rozvytku sportu v umovakh viiny ta povoiennoho vidnovlennia [The role of local communities in the development of sports in the context of war and postwar reconstruction]. Investytsii: praktyka ta dosvid – Investments: Practice and Experience, (17), 135–142. https://doi.org/10.32702/2306-6814.2024.17.135 [in Ukrainian].
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. (2023, July 12). Draft Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Physical Culture and Sport” Regarding Adaptive Sport [Draft Law No. 9485]. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billInfo/Bills/Card/42287 [in Ukrainian].
Recovery of Ukraine. (n.d.). Proiekty natsprohramy: Rozvytok system kultury ta sportu [National program projects: Development of culture and sports systems]. https://recovery.gov.ua/project/program/develop-culture-and-sport-systems [in Ukrainian].
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. (2025, January 3). Postanova pro realizatsiiu eksperymentalnoho proiektu shchodo nadannia uchasnykam boiovykh dii ta osobam z invalidnistiu vnaslidok viiny dopomohy dlia zaniat fizychnoiu kulturoiu ta sportom (Postanova № 2). [Resolution on the implementation of an experimental project regarding the provision of assistance to participants in hostilities and persons with disabilities due to the war for engagement in physical culture and sports (Resolution No. 2)]. Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2-2025-%D0%BF#Text [in Ukrainian].
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ihor Hrynchenko, Iryna Sobko, Vitalii Kyrpenko, Serhii Palevych
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
_logo_late_2025.svg.png){kind=logo}
