Defence forces and residents in the Sumy region were praised by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his New Year's Eve speech for their efforts in repelling the Russian invasion, which began on February 24 last year.

The region borders Russia to its north and east, but a successful Ukrainian counter-attack in March and April last year means it is in control of Sumy.

The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine's (NOCU) branch in Sumy initiated a programme to provide 50 individuals aged over 60 in the city.

The NOCU's executive secretary in its Sumy region branch Yuliya Lozova was joined by cross-country skier Tetyana Antipenko, sprinter Vitaliy Korzh, figure skating coach Svitlana Karavai, race walker Lyudmila Shelest and NOCU scholarship holder Anastasia Semernya in delivering the humanitarian aid.

Charity First Sumy Humanitarian Headquarters also provided assistance, and the NOCU revealed that Olympic Solidarity funding from the International Olympic Committee contributed to the initiative.

Sports facilities across Ukraine have been damaged by Russian missile strikes, and there is opposition in the country, including from Zelenskyy and NOCU President Vadym Guttsait to the IOC's move to explore the possibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in Asian qualifiers for Paris 2024.

Russia and Belarus have largely been frozen out of international sport since the invasion of Ukraine, with the IOC recommending that athletes and officials from both countries are excluded from competitions.

The IOC has insisted that its sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian states and Governments, including a ban on national symbols, would remain in place, and has insisted it will continue its "solidarity efforts for the Ukrainian athletes".