Look What Ukraine’s War Veterans Can Do in the MMA Ring—Photoreport

Oct 14, 2026 10:54 Updated Oct 14, 2026 11:36

7 min read

Prefer U24 Media on Google

Authors

Louis Beaudemont

Reporter

While Kyiv the Ukrainian capital, is bombed several times a day, events like this that gather military personnel are a prime target. Moreover, less than 400 kilometers (250 miles) as the crow flies from Kyiv, Operation Vivaldi is underway and servicemen of the Ukrainian army’s Third Army Corps are changing the course of the war, taking the initiative and liberating hundreds of square kilometers of territory temporarily occupied by Russian forces.

However, the risk did not stop participants and spectators from gathering for the 3rd edition of "IDU NA VY : Tryzna." Excited by an event that occurs only once a year, about three hundreds of military personnel and combat sports fans alike gathered around the octagon-shaped ring.

For security reasons, organizers notified everyone of the location just a few hours in advance. Once the final guests arrived, the lights around the octagon dimmed. The host took the stage to introduce the evening’s lineup—13 fights across three categories (military, civilian, and adaptive)—and invited the organizers and sponsors to say a few words.

The rules were adapted to each type of combat:

• MMA: three 5-minute rounds

• Bare-knuckle boxing: three 2-minute rounds

• Adaptive boxing: three 2-minute rounds

The name of the competition, “Tryzna,” refers to an ancient Slavic ritual in which a feast was held to honor fallen warriors before their cremation. The celebration surrounding the dead was seen as a way for the living to show their triumph over death through laughter.

“For us, 'Tryzna' is a way to honor memory through action, strength, and brotherhood,” said the tournament organizers. “We want to create a space where different fighters can meet as equals, demonstrate their strength of character, and at the same time pay tribute to those who can no longer step into the octagon.”

A photo installation served as a reminder of their memory.

One of the most impressive moments of the competition was the participation of veterans who had undergone amputations during their service.

A first fight featured Oleksii Nerovnya, a serviceman with the 25th Separate Airborne Sicheslav Brigade. Nerovnya lost a leg up to his pelvis after stepping on a mine during an assault in the Avdiivka direction. Facing him was Vladyslav “Klym” Klymchuk, a serviceman with the 12th Special Forces Brigade "Azov" who enlisted in 2022 and suffered severe injuries during a combat mission in 2024.

Following their injuries and a period of rehabilitation, both regularly compete in adaptive sports. At the end of the bout, even though Nerovnia received the loudest cheers from the crowd, Klymchuk took the victory.

Mykhailo Mushtai, a veteran who underwent nine surgeries after an injury before learning to walk again and returning to the ring fought, competed against another adaptive fighter, Totchonyi.

“In 2023, during the counteroffensive near Robotyne, my unit was hit by a tripwire mine,” explained adaptive MMA athlete Mykhailo Mushtai, who also participated in the competition. “All the soldiers in my unit died in combat—I was the only survivor. A blast injury damaged my leg nerves.”

[During the fight], I will remember my brothers in arms who gave their lives for Ukraine and who allow us to participate in this competition.

Mykhailo Mushtai

Adaptive athlete and veteran of the 78th Air Assault Brigade "Herts"

The action continued at a relentless pace throughout the evening. Other highlights included a memorable fight between servicemen of the Third Army Corps, including Semen Klok. Ukrainian serviceman Hlib Kush of the Third Army Corps aslo faced Finnish MMA fighter Perttu-Veli Paatola in an international match. Civilian fighters Mykola Rog and Andrii Kropachov also entered the ring, alongside a matchup between servicemen Kutsenko and Sherepitko.

Serving as a form of entertainment for the audience between MMA fights, medieval armored sword battles were also held inside the octagon, without any formal stakes.

Protect Ukrainian Skies

Subscribe to Sky Defense