Zelenskyy launched the annual hand-to-hand combat cup
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree establishing the annual nationwide tournament, the “President of Ukraine Hand-to-Hand Combat Cup.” Military personnel and employees of the defense and security forces will participate in the competition.
The head of state signed the relevant document on September 19. The decree provides for the establishment of a new annual competition at the suggestion of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.
Military personnel and employees of the following organizations will be eligible to participate in the tournament:
- the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- other military formations established in accordance with the laws of Ukraine;
- law enforcement and intelligence agencies;
- special-purpose state agencies with law enforcement functions;
- civil defense forces.
The document states that the purpose of the tournament is to develop the physical and combat training capabilities of defense and security forces personnel, as well as to enhance participants’ readiness to carry out missions to protect state sovereignty and national interests. Hand-to-hand combat skills for military personnel are not just a sports discipline: earlier, “Glavkom” reported how a Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier with the call sign “Sedy” survived a clash with an occupier in a cramped dugout and killed him with a knife.
The Cabinet of Ministers has been instructed to form an Organizing Committee within a month to prepare for and conduct the tournament, as well as to approve its regulations and personnel. The government must also provide organizational and financial support for the preparation and conduct of the competition.
The decree does not specify the date and venue of the first tournament, the number of participants, or the competition rules—these details are to be announced later.
Source: Presidential Decree No. 950/2026
Earlier, Zelenskyy approved new long-range operations against Russia.
As a reminder, on the night of September 19, Russian terrorist forces launched a massive attack on Ukraine, using two “Zircon” anti-ship missiles, 174 strike drones, and “Banderole” drones. Air defense forces destroyed most of the enemy targets.
On the night of Saturday, September 19, the Russian terrorist army struck Pavlohrad. A fire has been reported.
On the evening of Friday, September 18, Russian terrorists struck Sumy with guided aerial bombs. One of the bombs hit a high-rise residential building in the city, killing two people.
