Ukrainian Veterans Conquer Bosphorus in Defiant Swim

On Ukraine’s Independence Day, August 24, three Ukrainian war veterans—Oleh Tserkovnyi, Pavlo Tovstyk, and Oleksandr Dashko—swam the 6.5-kilometer Bosphorus Strait, defying war injuries and initial exclusion to complete the iconic intercontinental race. Their swim, a powerful symbol of resilience amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, now in its fourth year, aimed to raise funds for prosthetics and spotlight the struggles of wounded veterans.

The idea emerged during a pool session when Tserkovnyi, 34, proposed the challenge to his peers in the One for Another support group. Despite severe injuries, including amputations for Tovstyk and Dashko, the trio trained rigorously for months with support from Kyiv’s Superhumans Centre and CapitalTRI, an amateur triathlon team. “We’re not asking for pity, but for support,” Tserkovnyi told the Associated Press before the race.

The Bosphorus Intercontinental Swimming Race, organized by the Turkish Olympic Committee since 1989, saw over 2,800 swimmers from 81 countries cross from Asia to Europe. Initially, organizers barred the two amputee veterans, insisting on a separate disability category, but the Ukrainians persevered, swimming alongside others in over an hour of grueling effort. Their participation was not just a physical feat but a statement of reclaiming agency over war-altered bodies.

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Tserkovnyi, a former sniper, battles lasting effects of two concussions from artillery fire, including hearing loss and impaired balance. Swimming became his path to manage PTSD and regain stability. “Sport heals,” he said, noting the community’s role in recovery. Tovstyk, 47, lost part of his left leg to a landmine in 2023. A former swimmer, he found solace in water, saying, “It made me myself again—just different.” Dashko, 28, who lost his left leg to shrapnel, discovered swimming post-injury. “Without challenges like this, I’d slip into depression,” he admitted, crediting the race with giving him purpose.

The veterans’ swim underscores Ukraine’s broader struggle, with over 1.2 million veterans facing reintegration challenges, a number projected to reach 5 million post-war. The race also highlighted the urgent need for prosthetics, which remain costly for many of Ukraine’s wounded.

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