A cyber club for fellow soldiers. The story of veterans who turned a childhood dream into a business

"You can take pictures, but don't distract the guys from the game," says the administrator of the Cyberion esports club in Odesa. The spacious facility has several game rooms, and one of them has three players focused on a tournament.

The establishment is located in the heart of the city, on Deribasovskaya Street. Outside the walls of the club, there are gaming areas with the latest equipment, its own tournament league, and an active community. But the story of this place is not just about games. It's about two war veterans who decided to open a business after the front and create a safe space for young people and their comrades-in-arms.

Volodymyr Nastenko and Volodymyr Rusynovych served in the 126th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade (now the 39th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade). After leaving the service, they invested their own money, took out loans, received government grants, and opened an esports club.

Read about how veterans have set up a business and plan to help their fellow soldiers through esports in the article LIGA.net.

From the frontline to business: meeting two Volodymyrs

Volodymyr Nastenko and Volodymyr Rusanovych never crossed paths at the front. Their meeting took place after both had been demobilized: Nastenko because he needed to take care of his parents, and Rusanovych because he was wounded.

The acquaintance began with a volunteer meeting for the brothers. Each of them was organizing their own initiative at the time, and their friends confused their campaigns, thinking they were one joint project. Eventually, they got in touch, got to know each other better, and quickly realized that they had not only shared combat experience but also similar plans for civilian life.

After demobilization, they faced the question: what to do next? They did not want to invest in "just anything." They decided to look for a business model that could work even in a crisis. It so happened that the franchise of esports clubs attracted their attention: a childhood dream combined with the opportunity to do something that brings profit and benefit.

"We saw that esports was scaling up even during the war and pandemic. This was a signal that the direction was promising," explains Nastenko.

Franchise, loans and grants: how the club came to be

To launch the project, the veterans used their own funds, took out loans, and received government grants under the Own Business program. They both won half a million hryvnias each, and had to borrow about two million more. As a result, it took more than UAH 6 million to open. As part of the grant program, each of them had to employ at least two people, which they did.

The club operates under the Cyberion franchise and has a clear concept: no hookahs or alcohol, the focus is only on games, tournaments, and community building. It has several zones with the latest video cards, and hosts tournaments with prize pools. Franchise clubs have a 10% discount for military personnel, but in the Odesa club it reaches 30%.

Nastenko and Rusynovych have become an example for those who are looking for a way to civilian life after the front. After all, it is stories like these that inspire the military most when they decide to start their own business after service.

"When we hold events with combatants, we invite those who have already received grants. They share their experience: how they applied, how they started a business, and that this program really works. This is very important, because there are those who doubt whether it is realistic to get this money. And when they see examples of successful people, it gives them confidence," says Olena Zuieva, head of the project implementation department at the Odesa Regional Employment Center.

In Odesa region, 50 veterans have received grants for their own businesses this year alone, and 87 since the program began.

Rehabilitation through esports

For Volodymyr Nastenko and his partner, the club has become not only a business, but also an attempt to create a safe space for their comrades. They dream that Cyberion on Deribasivska will also work as a psychological support platform where military personnel can come, play, socialize, and feel that they remain part of the community.

They are already discussing this idea with local authorities. According to their plan, doctors should refer veterans to esports "sessions". Nastenko and Rusanovych are ready to provide premises and equipment free of charge.

Esports can indeed become a rehabilitation tool, confirms psychiatrist Dmitry Noskov. He explains that games can distract from traumatic memories, give a sense of excitement and teamwork that is lacking. This is especially important for those who are unable to engage in traditional sports due to their injuries.

If a person has severe PTSD, problems with orientation after shell shock, or a tendency to aggression, excessive sensory stimulation can be harmful. Therefore, Noskov emphasizes that such programs should work only in conjunction with specialists who will determine who will benefit from esports.

Plans to scale up

The Cyberion esports club in Odesa has been operating since January 2025.

According to the business model, the facility should have reached payback in 16-18 months, but the partners invested more money than they planned and are now expanding the space with new rooms. This extends the return on investment but creates additional opportunities.

Today, one of the founders, Volodymyr Nastenko, is focused on developing the club on Deribasovska Street. His partner, Volodymyr Rusynovych, is preparing to open another space with another partner.

"When we hear feedback that this is the best club in the city, we realize that everything was not in vain," Nastenko says.

The material was created by LIGA.net is supported by the Askold & Dir Foundation, administered by ISAR Ednannia as part of the project "Strong Civil Society in Ukraine – Driving Reforms and Democracy" with funding from Norway and Sweden. The content of this publication is the responsibility of LIGA.net and do not reflect the views of the governments of Norway, Sweden or ISAF Ednannia.