One of Prince Harry's Invictus Games teammates has been killed fighting in the war against Russia in Ukraine.
Serhii Karaivan, a former trialist for the Invictus Games and Warrior Games for Team Ukraine, died on March 13 while trying to defend his country during the Russian invasion.
The Invictus Games Foundation announced the news, just one month before the 2022 games begin in The Hague.
In a statement on its website the Foundation said: "our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and the wider community".
The team manager for the Ukrainian Invictus Games team, Oksana, said it was "tough to learn about Serhii's death".
"When we win, we will celebrate his life, talk about him, and his sense of humour, professionalism, patriotism and sports endeavours," she said.
"And we will hug and cry and laugh because the memories of him bring joy and happiness.
"Please do not think of him as a martyr, he would not like it. Think of him as a celebrated Invictus Games community member, hero and defender of Ukrainian people."
The Foundation said it knew of "many" Invictus Games competitors, including staff and team management, who have "signed up to serve once again".
"Many of whom already had injuries sustained in conflict with Russia since 2014," the Foundation said.
They were offered support but "as a team they chose to stay, and serve".
Prince Harry has not commented publicly on the death of Karaivan.
On February 24, Prince Harry and wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, issued a statement on the war saying they "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 Duke of Sussex founded the Invictus Games in 2014, having seen firsthand how sport can help inspire the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded servicemen and women.
Harry's own experience in the army – he did two tours of duty in Afghanistan - helped him through the turmoil suffered in the wake of the death of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
His aim is to help others heal, as he did, and give a voice to the forgotten.
The Invictus Games are arguably Prince Harry's greatest legacy.
Harry and wife Meghan brought the event to New South Wales in 2018 as part of their royal tour of Australia and the Pacific.
Prince Harry will be attending the next Invictus Games at The Hague in the Netherlands, next month.
In a video released by the Foundation last week, the duke was seen practicing Dutch ahead of his arrival with members of the host country's team.
Wearing orange - the colour of The Netherlands - Harry asked about the pronunciation of certain words and phrases.
"One more time guys, please, you know I want to get this right. How do I say, 'good afternoon, you've done a great job', in Dutch?" Harry said.
The event was scheduled to be held in 2020 but was delayed by two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It will begin on April 16 and will bring together more than 500 competitors from 20 nations to compete in a series of adaptive sports.
Harry will attend the event, but will not be at a planned memorial service for his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh which will take place in London two weeks before.
The Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 will be held in Germany next year.
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