An event titled «Soldier Recovery» took place in Kyiv, organized by Denis Silantiev as part of the «Free Waves» project. The program aims at the physical and psychological recovery of military personnel through water activities.
According to Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration Marina Honda, who attended the event, swimming is not just a sport, but also a powerful rehabilitation tool. It can alleviate pain, improve coordination, reduce strain on the musculoskeletal system, and restore inner balance.
«This is a brilliant example of how sports and rehabilitation can work together for results,» emphasized Marina Honda.
According to the Kyiv City Health Department, as of October 1, 2025, 24 medical institutions in the capital provide rehabilitation assistance to military personnel, both in inpatient and outpatient settings. The city has over 700 rehabilitation beds, and this number is consistently increasing.
During the first nine months of 2025, more than 4.3 thousand soldiers received medical rehabilitation in hospitals, while nearly 1.3 thousand received outpatient care. This includes orthopedic, neurological, and psychological support.
The psychological rehabilitation provided by the Kyiv Military Hub also plays a crucial role. They conduct individual consultations, art therapy, group support, crisis outreach, and sports training in partnership with foundations and organizations.
Soldiers have the opportunity to engage in adaptive sports, including swimming, rowing, climbing, sailing, and table tennis.
«Rehabilitation is not just about physical recovery; it’s about returning to oneself, to life, to inner peace. We must create conditions in which soldiers receive care and support at every stage of this journey,» highlighted Marina Honda.
As part of the city target program «Support for Kyiv Residents — Defenders of Ukraine», assistance was provided to 66 thousand individuals among military personnel, veterans, and their families totaling over 1 billion hryvnias in the first nine months of 2025. This is more than in the entire year of 2024, when support was provided to 55 thousand Kyiv residents for over 890 million hryvnias.
