A team of veterans of Ukraine flew to the UK on a secret RAF flight to prepare for the US Army’s Warrior Games.
The contingent of nearly 60 people includes the Deputy Minister for Veterans Affairs, Inna Draganchuk, and celebrated medic Julia Paievska, known throughout Ukraine as Taira, who was released after being held captive by Russian-backed separatists.
The trip included a trip to Poland for the flight on a Voyager plane from an unnamed airport to Brize Norton in Oxfordshire yesterday afternoon. Details of the trip have been kept secret until today.
Many of the group have broken away from the front lines to join the five-week camp, which is taking place in Brighton as preparation is not possible in wartime.
The trip has the broader aim of rehabilitating the athletes, giving Ukraine a token boost and building on ties to two UK charities. In addition to 33 athletes, the group includes support staff and the wives and children of two Team Ukraine members who lost their lives while resisting the Russian invasion.
Sister charities BRAVO VICTOR and Blind Veterans UK have made the training camp possible as the Ukrainian government’s budget is focused on defense and security.
The team has arrived for the multi-sport Warrior Games, which is for wounded, wounded or sick servicemen and veterans, taking place in August at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.
Ms Dranganchuk told Metro.co.uk: ‘We have a fight with an absolutely terrible enemy, Russia, and this fight is taking place on various stages and battlefields. It is very important not only to fight on the battlefield, but also to bring the strong resistance, courage and truth of our athletes to the international stage. They absolutely believe in what they do and for them, and for us Ukraine is the best country in the world. They are the true defenders of their nation and it is very important to show this to the world.
“They’re used to being the best, being winners, and they’re ready to show how strong and motivated they are.
“Yesterday they were carrying guns and today they are holding sports equipment. And after the game, they return to their positions.
“They also want to show Ukrainian defenders and soldiers that life after this war will be full of energy, sports and sporting challenges.”
Yulia, also known as the Angel of Mariupol, was kidnapped while working as the founder and leader of Taira’s Angels, a volunteer medical evacuation unit that had been working in Mariupol to support military personnel and civilians. The medic, who is also an Invictus Games athlete, is accompanied on the trip by her daughter, Anna-Sofia Puzanova.
Yulia, 53, previously described being held captive as “hell” after her three-month release on June 17. She is back in archery training as she prepares for the games, which include adaptive sporting events such as wheelchair basketball, cycling, indoor rowing and sitting volleyball.
Mrs. Dranganchuk said: ‘It’s great to see them together again, they are a wonderful mother and daughter.
“This journey is very important to them. It’s not just about a sports competition, it’s about psychological and technological support and providing a transition period that will give our group new confidence in their future lives and decisions.”
In April, the team took part in the Invictus games in The Hague, where they had ‘inspiring’ meetings with the event’s figurehead, Prince Harry.
They will be joined by a smaller group of participants and support staff before heading to Orlando, where the US military-run competition will take place between August 19 and 28.
The minister emphasized her thanks to the two charities for their support, including arranging the training base and working together to make the flight possible.
the organizations sent a delegation to Ukraine which last month signed a memorandum of understanding with the government pledging to work with the country on long-term rehabilitation of loss of face.
Maj Gen (Rtd) Nick Caplin, CEO of Blind Veterans UK, and Professor Renata Gomes, Chief Scientific Officer at BRAVO VICTOR, spent nearly five days on the journey traversing areas in and around Kiev subjected to rocket fire by Russian forces .
The dire consequences of the war include a civilian death toll that has passed the 5,000 mark since the invasion began on Feb. 24, the UN human rights agency said today. The office said the actual figure was likely much higher.
The team arrived in Brighton as Ukraine would be bringing together a million-strong fighting force, backed by western weapons, to reclaim territory in the south that it has lost to Russia.
“I’m not qualified to talk about the million-member army,” Ms Dranganchuk said. “But I can tell you for sure that far more than a million people are motivated to be part of a nation that is fighting for its freedom and its life.”
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