ARLINGTON, Va. — A group of active-duty members of the Ukrainian armed forces crossed the finish line Sunday at the 50th Marine Corps Marathon.

Another of their brothers in arms was supposed to be with them, but he recently died in combat. The Ukraine defenders — Yaroslav, Andrii, Velisha, Andrii, Volodymyr and Oleksandr, plus Maj Gen. (Ret.) Volodymyr Havrylov — ran in his honor, getting him across the finish line in spirit.

“That’s the reality of war,” said Yaroslav, who finished first from Team Ukraine with a time of 2:41:23.

The soldiers’ last names were not disclosed for safety reasons, according to an official from United Help Ukraine, because they are actively serving in combat. United Help Ukraine is a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian, medical and psychological aid to people affected by the ongoing conflict.

Members of the Ukrainian armed forces prepare to run the 50th annual Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, on the streets of Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Team Ukraine, which is sponsored by UHU, came from the front lines to run alongside almost 40,000 runners in the nation’s capital as a show of strength and resilience.

Members of the Ukrainian armed forces have been running in the Marine Corps Marathon since 2016, but this is the first year that active-duty troops have participated. All seven were recommended by their military commanders.

“A lot of the Marines during the race welcomed us, and many sent their best regards to us personally. It’s emotionally very touching and contributes to their (the Ukrainian soldiers’) mental recovery,” said Havrylov, a former deputy defense minister. Havrylov was awarded the U.S. Legion of Merit in 2019.

The active-duty soldiers, who are wounded and have sustained injuries from the war, will return home Monday to continue defending their homeland.

“We are standing not only thanks to our own courage and our own strength, but because of the support of the world and America,” Yaroslav said.