The free "Free Waves" project for military and veterans continues in Zaporizhzhia.
As part of the "Free Waves" project, war veterans and active defenders undergo free rehabilitation, developed by Olympic medalist Denis Sylantiev. The project has been active in Zaporizhzhia since 2023, with support from Metinvest, Zaporizhstal, and NGO "Zaporizhzhia.Platform for Joint Action."
Volodymyr Bobkov, age 58, is a participant of the "Free Waves" project. He worked as a truck driver before the full-scale invasion. He was at work when the war broke out.
"I noticed an explosion and understood it was war. I had to load a cargo and drive to Sloviansk, then I came to Zaporizhzhia, left my car there, and joined the Territorial Defence Forces. Over time, I joined the National Guard. For two years, from 2022 to 2024, I was deployed in the front-line city of Orikhiv. The occupiers, paratroopers from Pskov, were driven out there. Then, I was transferred to the Pokrovsk direction, where I was injured. And now, I am here to undergo rehabilitation," said Volodymyr BOBKOV.
Over 150 veterans and servicemen attend these training sessions. Swimming according to the rehabilitation method, with an individual approach for each person, helps Ukraine's defenders improve their health after injures and accelerate the rehabilitation process – both physically and mentally.
"Currently, I am undergoing rehabilitation after injuries. We are taking our time to work out our hands. I feel better even after the first session. My functionality is recovering, although I have just started training. We should promote this project more among military personnel. Today, I have many friends and fellows, who could also benefited from it. After their service, they could recover here and heal their wounds," said Volodymyr Bobkov.
Free rehabilitation swimming sessions developed by Olympic medallist Denis Sylantiev are held three times a week. What matters most are the noticeable results.
"As we chat with project participants, we often hear that they came here on crutches, barely able to move because of injuries and wounds. However, after a few months of training, they start to work out their limbs, gradually give up crutches, and strengthen their muscles. I am very happy about the positive effect the project has on our defenders, healing them physically and mentally. We do not have a goal to teach them swim, what we need is to help them recover after their surgeries and injuries," explained Denys SYLANTIEV, volunteer and Olympic medallist.
Each participant receives an individual rehabilitation programme developed personally by Denys Sylantiev. A coach ensures everyone follows these recommendations and finds an individual approach for each defender.
"It is vital for veterans and military personnel to attend these sessions more than once. They need to understand that if something does not feel right or the atmosphere is not pleasant, it is not the reason to quit. We take an individual approach, where a coach talks with a person, asks about wounds or concussions, and then designs a training programme based on answers, focusing on health benefits," shared Denus Sylantiev.
As per Denys Sylantiev, water ensures a unique result that cannot be achieved through any other activity.
To start training, participants need only show a document proving their status as a combatant.
