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Dragon boats set for Ukraine soldiers' rehab

Hannah WalshBBC South
News imageBBC The image shows two boats lifted up by machinery. One is on top of the other. They have a Ukrainian flag and British flags on the end. The top one is red with a scale pattern on the side. It says 'Medusa' on the side. The bottom one is black with a grey scale pattern. They are half in the barn which is grey stone on the bottom and green fencing at the top. BBC
The boats had to be lifted by machinery to be loaded on to a lorry to be driven to Ukraine

Four dragon boats, donated to Ukraine by clubs across England, are on their way to Ukraine to help rehabilitate injured soldiers.

The 40ft racing boats have been donated to the Odesa Dragons team after their equipment and boathouse was destroyed by a Russian attack on the Black Sea city in 2023.

They are being transported to Ukraine in a lorry also filled with donated medical equipment, a generator and a skulling rowboat.

Daniel Windsor, from events company Race the Dragon, which donated two of the boats, said they would give Ukrainians the "opportunity to head back out with their friends, with their colleagues on the water".

News imageOdesa Dragons Image shows the Odesa Dragon boathouse after it was destroyed in an attack. The metal framing is still standing but the panelling has completely come off of it. Metal panels are laying on the floor around the structure. Behind the structure, the sky is blue. There is water behind the structure too.Odesa Dragons
The Odesa Dragons boathouse was destroyed in December 2023.

Originating in China, dragon boat racing has expanded in popularity around the world - including in Ukraine where four teams were based in Odesa.

A member of the GB Senior Women's dragon boat racing team, Eleanor Fitzgerald, began volunteering with Ukrainian Action in 2025 and has established the link between the British dragon boating community and enthusiasts in Ukraine.

She said the Odesa Dragon Boat Federation had been a "really active club" before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

News imageImage shows Eleanor Fitzgerald, a volunteer for Ukrainian Action. She has a blonde bob. She is looking off to the left of the picture. Behind her is the four dragon boats and one rowing boat which are being donated to Ukraine. She has a gold necklace on and a khaki green t-shirt.
Eleanor Fitzgerald, a volunteer for Ukrainian Action, says the boats will help rebuild a future for Ukraine

"Odesa is a huge city, a beautiful city based on the Black Sea and unfortunately, since the war has started, things have really changed for them."

"When you live in a place that's a port, the water is part of everything they do, and so not to be able to go on the water is terrible."

Buoyancy aids, paddles and safety equipment were dispatched in January and four 40ft boats are currently being transported.

"The logistics are the hardest part because the generosity of the people is there and that energy is there. But part of that energy has helped with the logistics," she added.

News imageOdesa Dragons The image shows six people smiling at the camera. Five of those people are men. Some have visible injuries as a result of war. From left to right, there is a male wearing a white t-shirt with grey shorts sat on a bench. He has one leg amputated above the knee. Next to him, is a male wearing a green t-shirt and black shorts. He is also sat but leaning his arms on his crutches. One of his legs is also amputated. Next to him, is a female wearing a black shirt with an orange dragon on it. She has blonde hair in a bob. In front of her, is a male in a black wheelchair. He is wearing a blue t-shirt, black shorts and has a green prosthetic leg. Both his hands have been amputated too. Behind him is a male in a blue t-shirt and grey cap. Next to him on the far right, is a male in a blue t-shirt, black shorts and grey cap. He has had his left arm amputated. Odesa Dragons
Military vets who had returned from war attended a dragon boat competition in Ukraine in 2025

Two boats were donated by Race the Dragon with the others donated by Pershore Dragon Boat Club in Worcestershire and Thames Dragon Boat Club in London.

They are due to arrive in Odesa on Wednesday. There are plans to use the boats to set up a military veterans team in Ukraine.

Fitzgerald said: "This is about building for the future, and that future is the fact is athletes are starting to come back from the war, so military veterans, both men and women, and they're injured.

"Many of them coming back are amputees, many more than multiple amputees.

"And there is also post-traumatic stress disorder as well there. And so what's terribly important is they have a community that they can be part of."

As well as a para-dragons team for military veterans, the Odesa Dragons also hope to use the boats to set up a youth team.

"Get the youth out on the water too, because it's all part of rebuilding and getting people out and doing something normal in what is a somewhat abnormal environment for them," she added.

News imageImage shows Dan Windsor, Operations Director at Race the Dragon. He is wearing a black polo shirt which says 'Race The Dragon' in gold. He has short dark hair and is wearing glasses. He is looking off to the right. Behind him to the left is dragon boats. To his right, is a fork truck which is bright red.
Dan Windsor, operations director at Race the Dragon, helped to load the dragon boats.

Race the Dragon, operations director Dan Windsor, said it was "important to support the people of Ukraine".

"What we take for granted, dragon boating with your friends, your colleagues, going down to your local boat club, getting out on the water, fantastic activity to keep you fit, very good for your mental health.

"For someone to have that freedom, that ability taken away from them, we thought it was important to support this project."

What are dragon boats?

  • Dragon boats are long, narrow paddling boats used for racing
  • They are typically decorated with dragon heads and tails
  • They usually have a standard crew of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a helmsman
  • The are typically 40 to 42ft (12 to 12.5m) long
  • The sport originated in China but is now popular worldwide
  • Dragon boat racing will be a demonstration sport in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

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