Run for Freedom 2026 in Kyiv: A Race with a Cause
On August 12, the third annual advocacy run Run for Freedom took place at the VDNG grounds in Kyiv. Its purpose is to win the release of Ukrainian military personnel and civilians held in Russian captivity. Participants could choose 1 km, 5 km, or 10 km. Timothy Snyder—a historian, Yale University professor, and UNITED24 ambassador—took part as well, underscoring his strong support for the initiative. The race is part of broader efforts to keep prisoners-of-war issues in the public eye as Russia’s war against Ukraine continues.
How It Began and Why It Matters
Run for Freedom was created in 2024 by students of the Kyiv School of Economics together with Timothy Snyder. In just two years, it has attracted nearly two thousand participants, showing how quickly the event has become a tradition. Entry fees are as follows:
- UAH 499 for the 1 km distance;
- UAH 1,099 for the 5 km and 10 km distances;
- UAH 499 for online participation.
Members of the military, veterans, and families of prisoners can join for free by sending a copy of their ID to info@newrun.com.ua.
The 2026 edition is held in both offline and online formats. Except for organizational costs, all ticket revenue goes to support Ukraine’s Defense Forces. Snyder highlighted the importance of the run:
“Freedom depends on what we do when others are deprived of it. Run for Freedom keeps the world focused on Ukrainians held by Russia—both soldiers and civilians—and reminds us that captivity cannot become normal. Every one of them must come home.” — Timothy Snyder
Runners were also invited to share photos on social media with the hashtag #RunForFreedom, helping spread the word about the event and its mission. Run for Freedom continues to draw attention to a painful issue affecting many Ukrainian families, and through visible collective action it expresses solidarity with those waiting for their loved ones to return.
Run for Freedom 2026 does more than promote physical activity; it serves a vital social role by highlighting the urgent need to free prisoners of war and civilian detainees. The steadily growing number of participants shows that the event has become a platform for uniting society around a shared goal, while also strengthening international attention to the plight of Ukrainian captives. That solidarity matters deeply to everyone enduring hardship and hoping to bring their relatives home.
In addition to the Run for Freedom event, other charitable initiatives continue to emerge across Ukraine, such as a recent charity race in Lviv that raised significant funds for essential military supplies. This highlights the growing community support for the armed forces and the importance of solidarity in these challenging times. For more on how local efforts are making an impact, check out this article about a charity race that generated UAH 180,000 for drones supporting Azov forces here.