On 1 September 2025, a symbolic and extremely important event took place at SumDU – the Indomitability Tournament.

On the night of 18 August 2025, Russians insidiously struck the university’s academic buildings and sports infrastructure with drones and rockets. Among the damaged facilities was the N Building, within the walls of which the ceremonial part of the tournament took place.

In a video message, Matvii BIDNYI (the Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine) congratulated the participants. He emphasized the indomitability of SumDU and its athletes.

Oleksii DROZDENKO (deputy head of Sumy Regional State Administration) and Artem KOBZAR (acting mayor of Sumy) also joined the event.

Artem KOBZAR congratulated all participants on beginning of the new academic year. He wished prize places and victories at all-Ukrainian, European and world competitions.

Despite the destruction, young people continue to train, compete and win. SumDU athletes are sure that no force can break their faith in victory and their thirst for life.

“I am grateful to the university leadership and everyone who helped restore this place and eliminate the damage consequences for many days. Today marks exactly 6 years since the Beach Volleyball Center was created. There is still much work ahead, but I think that with joint efforts we will restore it!”, – said Valerii SAMODAI (volleyball team coach).

Tournament participant Oleksandra KRASNOZHON shared her impressions: “By participating in the tournament, we want to show that we are invincible, and despite all the adversities, we are developing. We want to show people that life goes on and we want to continue training in these halls.”

Anatolii VASYLIEV (chairman of the SumDU Academic Council, head of the Separate Unit of the Student Sports Union in Sumy Oblast) emphasized that the building with the Beach Volleyball Center was built at the university’s own expense. He expressed hope that the university, despite the current challenges, will remain a leader, including in the sports field.

“The Indomitability Tournament” is not just a sports competition. It has become proof that even after the barbaric attacks, the university continues to live, develop and remain a center of spirit strength, education and sports.

“Looking at this once beautiful hall, I see two symbols. The first is a symbol of our resilience and indomitability, the second is the true face of Russia. This hall was our “highlight”, because it is the first in Ukraine created for beach volleyball even in winter. But I believe that there will be support for restoration of this building. We are indomitable, we are resilient, we believe in victory. “I really want this academic year to be a year of victory. The enemy is trying to steal the holiday of 1 September. However, he definitely will not steal the strength of the Ukrainian nation, the strength of the Ukrainian spirit”, – concluded Vasyl KARPUSHA (SumDU rector).