A competition among veterans and active service members, dedicated to the second anniversary of the "Free Waves" project, took place in Kamianske.
The tournament brought together 30 participants from Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Kamianske, becoming not only a sports event, but also a symbol of people's personal achievements, who have experienced war and continue their recovery.
According to Dmytro Khalilov, Director of the NGO "Zaporizhzhia. Platform for joint Action", the name of the "Free Waves" project emerged during a team discussion. The name was inspired by the poetry of Lesia Ukrainka, where waves embody a symbol of recovery, freedom, and progress.
The main objective of the project is to help veterans and active service members recover their physical and psychological health through regular swimming classes. The project was launched two years ago in Zaporizhzhia on the initiative of the NGO "Zaporizhzhia. Platform for Joint Action", with support from Metinvest Group and Zaporizhstal.
Over two years of the project's operation, nearly 400 veterans and active service members from Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Kamianske have taken part in it.Training sessions are based on a method developed by Olympic medallist Denys Sylantiev.
"For people, it is important to recover as soon as possible after concussions, wounds, amputations, and other injuries. That is why we introduced free training sessions, during which coaches help veterans recover physically, emotionally, and psychologically faster," said Denys SYLANTIEV, the author of the methodology and a 2000 Olympic medallist.
It is not about participation, it is about victory over yourself
The tournament programme includes freestyle, breaststroke, and butterfly swimming. The organisers say that they initially had doubts about whether to keep the most challenging distances in the programme. However, the participants themselves insisted on taking on these challenges and testing their own abilities.
For most veterans, this was their first competition since sustaining their injuries. Both organisers and veterans themselves admit that the participants were competing not so much against one another as against themselves. According to the veterans, the progress achieved through water-based training is noticeable in everyday life: greater confidence in movement and an overall improvement in well-being.
"Most of our participants are taking part in competitions like this for the first time. Some have even had to relearn how to swim after their injuries. Therefore, the most important victory today is the victory over yourself," emphasised Dmytro KRAIEVSKYI, a coach of the "Free Waves" project in Kamianske.
The veterans say that water has become not only a tool for physical rehabilitation, but also a way to regain their inner balance.
Volodymyr KRAVCHENKO, a veteran and employee of Zaporizhzhia Refractories, served as an officer in the 47th Separate Artillery Brigade. Swimming helps him restore his psycho-emotional state and take his mind off painful memories. "While swimming, you relax. All muscles are working, but at the same time you have time to think and dream. In those moments, you do not think about either work or the war."
The story of war veteran Dmytro MELANYCH from Kamianske once again demonstrates the effectiveness of the project: after sustaining a serious injury, he had to use a wheelchair, but regular water-based training helped him get back on his feet.
"Today, I can walk thanks to the swimming pool and the water. Doctors are surprised by my recovery. That is why I encourage my fellow veterans and soldiers to attend these training sessions. Do not be afraid to start, as they truly help," said Dmytro Melanych, a participant in the "Free Waves" project, sharing his experience.
Demand for the programme continues to grow, and the organisers are already working on expanding it.
"We are planning to increase the number of pools in Zaporizhzhia as early as next year. We are working on this together with the local authorities and with the support of Metinvest. Our goal is to make the project accessible to an even greater number of veterans and service members," said Dmytro KHALILOV, Director of the NGO "Zaporizhzhia. Joint Action Platform."
For many participants, it is not only the training sessions themselves that matter. The "Free Waves" project has become a community of people who understand one another, support one another, and motivate each other not to give up on their recovery journey.
Returning to civilian life is a path that requires time, support, and opportunities for recovery. That is why Metinvest Group and Zaporizhstal work together to systematically support veteran initiatives that help defenders not only regain physical fitness, but also find internal strength, social connection, and confidence in the future.
How to join the "Free Waves" project
War veterans, demobilised defenders, and active service members undergoing physical or psychological rehabilitation after injuries can take part in the project.
All training sessions are free of charge and take place in swimming pools using a specially developed methodology adapted for people with different types of injuries. In particular, pools are equipped with special lifts for people with reduced mobility, making the training sessions accessible to everyone.
