Prince Harry mourns Invictus teammate killed in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine just hit home for the royal, who has paid tribute to an Invictus Games athlete killed fighting against Russian forces.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have donated to a number of organisations to provide support to Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.

It comes as an Invictus Games athlete has died while fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Archewell Foundation announced on Friday that the couple has made donations to several organisations working “on the ground to support the people of Ukraine.”

An athlete who competed in Harry’s Invicus Games has been killed amid the Ukrainian bloodshed. Picture: Getty

The organisations include HIAS, The HALO Trust, and Are We Europe. Notably, The HALO Trust is an organisation Harry’s late mother Princess Diana supported.

Also on Friday, HALO revealed on Twitter that Harry, 37, checked in with two of its team members who are on the ground in Ukraine, praising them for their bravery in a video call.

"You are saving lives every single day." - Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex

Olesia & Maryna are working on the ground in Ukraine with HALO to help keep families safe. This week, they shared their experiences with Prince Harry.

📽️ https://t.co/lw4qZ8PgXDpic.twitter.com/IHK6rlMTs9

— The HALO Trust (@TheHALOTrust) March 18, 2022

“You guys are saving lives every single day,” he commended two female members, adding, “Thank you for being so brave and being so amazing and well done. Keep doing what you’re doing, keep saving lives.”

Archewell also announced it is working with World Central Kitchen and The World Health Organization to assist with the “global and local humanitarian response to the crisis.”

The Sussexes’ foundation also paid tribute to Invictus Games athlete Serhii Karaivan, who died on March 13 while fighting against Russian forces. Harry, who served in the army for more than 10 years, started the Invictus Games in 2014.

“Finally, our hearts are heavy as we acknowledge the recent loss of a member of our veteran community in Ukraine, who was defending his country from attack,” the foundation said in its statement.

It is with regret that we report that a member of the Ukrainian Invictus Games community has been confirmed as a fatality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
More: https://t.co/3cuaLFCqiVpic.twitter.com/ThwgLnDS3m

— Invictus Games Foundation 💛🖤+💜 (@WeAreInvictus) March 16, 2022

“We also pay tribute to the brave men and women from our global veteran community, past and present, who have long protected their countries and families with unparalleled strength and determination. We are continuing to work and speak with the Invictus Games Foundation daily to help however we can.”

“All of us at Archewell have been inspired by the work these organisations have taken on – and also by the stories from those on the front lines. We are sharing some of these stories below in the case that you will be moved to take action. If you are able, we hope you will support or amplify their efforts,” the announcement continued.

Harry and Meghan have donated to several charities working to help those in Ukraine. Picture: AFP

The Invictus Games Foundation announced Karaivan’s death on Wednesday on Twitter, writing, “It is with regret that we report that a member of the Ukrainian Invictus Games community has been confirmed as a fatality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

Markle, 40, and Harry first condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine on February 25 through a statement posted on their Archewell website that read, “WE STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE.”

“Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and all of us at Archewell stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law and encourage the global community and its leaders to do the same,” the statement said.

This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished here with permission.