Monobank to pay UAH 1 million to Vladyslav Heraskevych — a signal from business to defend Ukrainian values
A skeleton racer was removed from the 2026 Olympics after refusing to change a helmet bearing portraits of fallen athletes. Monobank announced a 1 million hryvnia prize and calls on other companies to join — what does this mean for sport and civic stance in the era of war?
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
February 12, 2026 · 2 min read
Event
Monobank announced a payment of UAH 1,000,000 to skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for his principled stance. This was reported on Telegram by the bank’s co‑founder Oleg Gorokhovsky, UNN reports. Heraskevych was removed from the 2026 Olympic Games after refusing to change a helmet bearing images of fallen Ukrainian athletes; the athlete plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
What was said
Vladyslav Heraskevych is a dignified person, an outstanding athlete and a true patriot of Ukraine. Monobank announces a bonus to Vladyslav in the amount of 1 million hryvnias. We are proud, we admire him, and we want every athlete representing our country to know — it is important to all of us that Ukraine’s voice is heard and that the whole world knows about our struggle.
— Oleg Gorokhovsky, co‑founder of Monobank
I would very much like other businesses to join in and also pay Vladyslav a cash reward. That would be the right thing to do. Athletes dedicate their lives to achieving results. Vladyslav sacrificed his goal for the sake of justice and truth.
— Oleg Gorokhovsky, co‑founder of Monobank
Why it matters
This story is not about the amount, but about the signal. A business that publicly supports an athlete turns an individual protest into a small act of social solidarity. For the reader this has three practical dimensions: moral support for the families of the fallen, protection of the athlete’s right to express a civic position, and the creation of a precedent for companies to participate in public dialogue.
Sports ethics experts and lawyers emphasize: such cases intensify the discussion about the limits of regulating the expression of views at international competitions and the role of independent arbitration. An appeal to the CAS could create a legally significant precedent — but for now it is the public resonance that makes the situation notable.
Consequences and questions for business
Monobank has effectively proposed a model: instead of lengthy public debates — direct financial support. This increases the bank’s reputational capital among part of society and poses a challenge to other companies: are they ready to answer questions of values just as openly?
What’s next
The key now is the legal side (Heraskevych’s appeal to the CAS) and the business reaction. If other companies pick up the initiative, the case could become part of a new practice of corporate solidarity during wartime. If not — the signal will remain an isolated act with high media resonance.
About sources: the announcement was made by Oleg Gorokhovsky on Telegram; the information was also disseminated by UNN. The analytical context is drawn from comments within the sports community and the practices of international sports law.
Summary: this is not just a bonus — it is a test of the value system in sport and business. Whether such actions become the norm or remain isolated gestures depends on how widely businesses support principles, not only results.
