Ukraine's amputee veterans celebrate independence day with grueling endurance challenge

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Military amputees and war veterans in Ukraine marked Independence Day on Monday by finishing a grueling endurance race that took them more than 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) around the country.

At a lake outside the capital, Kyiv, athletes removed their prosthetics and pulled on wetsuits to complete on the closing day of the weeklong event, with some needing help to get into the water.

Known as Iron Week, the competition is led by three-time Olympic triathlete Danylo Sapunov, who supports veterans as the country endures more than four years of war since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“This is not a competition. There is no winner, and it does not matter who swims faster,” Sapunov said as athletes gathered at the lake. “The important thing is to participate and unite as one.”

Ukraine is marking the anniversary of its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union as European leaders traveled to Kyiv to join President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for official celebrations.

The amputee athletes completed seven consecutive days of competition — swimming, cycling and distance running — while traveling around Ukraine, including through war-torn cities in the east.

Yevhenii Lakhnenko, a 46-year-old army serviceman who had his right arm and left leg amputated after being wounded last October, said swimming had been central to his recovery.

“I am finishing my recovery and will get back in the ranks,” he said. “I do not think there is another country in the world as strong as Ukraine. Only our people are capable of doing what we are doing.”

Maksym Yuzviak, 35, a strike-drone operator who lost both legs in January 2025, said Ukraine’s independence rested on the actions of ordinary people.

“Independence is about the people,” he said. “People who are ready to take responsibility and who, as they say, are capable of taking action.”

Ukrainian war veteran Oleksii Kozak is helped to put on his goggles during a sporting event to encourage people and injured soldiers to take part in sports at a lake on the outskirts of Kyiv, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, during the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence Day. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Ukrainian war veteran Maxim Yuzvyak, left, is greet by sport celebrity Danylo Sapunov during a sporting event to encourage people and injured soldiers to take part in sports at a lake on the outskirts of Kyiv, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, during the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence Day. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

A friend holds the prosthetic leg of a Ukrainian war veteran during a sporting event to encourage people and injured soldiers to take part in sports at a lake on the outskirts of Kyiv, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, during the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence Day. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

A man holds the prosthetic leg of a Ukrainian war veteran as Maxim Yuzvyak, left, also a veteran, sits on a chair during a sporting event to encourage people and injured soldiers to take part in sports at a lake on the outskirts of Kyiv, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, during the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence Day. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Ukrainian war veteran Evheny Lakhnenko puts on his goggles during a sporting event to encourage people and injured soldiers to do sports in a lake at on the outskirts of Kyiv, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, during the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence Day. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Druv Jurel scored an unbeaten second test century to help India to a formidable 503 for nine declared in the first innings on the second day of the second cricket test against Sri Lanka.

Devdutt Padikkal had also made a century on the opening day Sunday to set up India's big score.

At stumps on the second day Sri Lanka was in trouble with 8 for two wickets.

Jurel remained not out on 115 when India captain Shubman Gill declared the first innings. He spent nearly five hours at the crease, faced 177 deliveries and hit two sixes and nine boundaries.

Earlier he shared 112-run partnership for the second wicket with Rishabh Pant (63) who was out first ball after lunch trying to step out and hit off spinner Keshara Nuwantha.

“About my century, I am kind of used to the conditions, a game on and off because I was touring (with) India A, so I am aware about the situation,” Jurel told reporters after the day's play.

Pant had returned to bat late Sunday after being hit by a Lahiru Kumara delivery. He faced 89 deliveries and hit two sixes and six boundaries.

India had resumed after lunch at 419 for six and despite being interrupted by a long rain delay, managed to score 84 more runs in the last two sessions with the tailenders holding one end firm.

Only 58 overs of play was possible for the day with most of the second session being lost to rain and another short break in the final session.

Sri Lanka were eight for two at stumps with opener Lahiru Udara and nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya being dismissed within the three overs bowled in the innings.

Fast bowler Prasid Krishna had Udara (1) caught at slip by a diving Yashasvi Jaiswal and spinner Manav Suthar trapped Jayasuriya (2) lbw.

India's day started at 300-5 and lost their sixth wicket with just seven runs added to the overnight total. Saransh Jain, who played his maiden test innings, was out for six caught by Kamil Mishara as he tried to fend off a bouncer from fast bowler Asitha Fernando.

Fernando had the best bowling figures for Sri Lanka with 4-60, while spinners Jayasuriya and Nuwantha picked up two wickets each.

“I am pleased with my effort and I must mention Lahiru and got a big support from him. But I would have been happier had we got them out for lesser,” Fernando said.

“We have a good batting lineup and the wicket still plays good, I trust our batters will be able to go past (India's) score,” he said about the team's aim for day three.

On Day 1, Padikkal scored his second test century and shared two crucial partnerships to help India lay a strong platform.

Continuing his top form from the first match, when he scored 167 runs in the first innings to set up a big win, Padikkal made 117 off 193 deliveries. He spent nearly five hours at the crease and hit 12 boundaries.

India leads the two-match series after defeating Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first test at Galle.

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council said it has fined Indian batter Jaiswal and Sri Lankan fast bowler Fernando 25% of their match fee for a breach of the code of conduct that prohibits inappropriate physical contact with a player, match official or spectator.

The incident occurred on Sunday when Fernando bowled Jaiswal and celebrated aggressively to which the batter reacted.

Fernando said that the incident happened in the heat of the match and that he had accepted the sanction.

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

India's Rishabh Pant is hit by a ball delivered by Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando during day two of the second cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

India's Rishabh Pant plays a shot as Sri Lanka's Niroshan Dickwella watches during day two of the second cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

India's Rishabh Pant India's Dhruv Jurel run between the wickets during day two of the second cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

India's Rishabh Pant plays a shot as Sri Lanka's Niroshan Dickwella watches during day two of the second cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

India's Rishabh Pant celebrates his fifty runs during day two of the second cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)