Repower is a non-profit organisation working on psychological recovery for medics and doctors at Ukraine's frontlines. With support from individuals, companies, and government entities, the organisation has conducted recovery trips to countries including Denmark, Spain, and Sweden. During one of the days, Nordic Defence Sector closely followed the activities. This is the final part in the series of reports on the Ukrainian field medics.

Stockholm (Sweden), 10:53.

Along the coast, barely an hour and a half from the bustling city centre, lies the conference centre that has become home for ten days to Ukrainian field doctors and medics. The ground is covered with frozen snow, the sky is blue, and the sun makes a rare January appearance. A beautiful winter day. In Kyiv, the temperature is the same. The difference is that large parts of the city are without power, following new Russian attacks on the country's power grid.

Already in the parking lot, one is met by a steady stream of men and women in field uniforms, all heading into the main building on the premises. It is a strong reminder that these people were in a war zone just a few days ago. Inside the conference facility, activities are already in full swing. During the day, the Ukrainian participants will meet Swedish colleagues in field medicine. Later, a visit from the Minister for Civil Defence, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, and the Director General of the Civil Defence and Resilience Agency, Mikael Frisell, is expected.

Kateryna Serduik, co-founder of Repower, explains how the activities have developed since the very first programme outside Ukraine's borders. It was 2022, the war had been ongoing for barely a year, and the future was full of uncertainties.

She particularly remembers the first train journey from Kyiv, westward towards Poland and further into Europe. Onboard were about a hundred people, including volunteers and field doctors, who would have the opportunity for rehabilitation. At the same time, there were, and still are, strict rules about who is allowed to leave the country during wartime.

– We still don't really know how we managed to cross the border. We had entire trains full of people who technically weren't allowed to leave the country. All men between 18 and 65 years are not permitted to travel out. Perhaps we were perceived as very serious by the border guards. We were going to Sweden and looked like some form of official delegation.

She laughs and continues:

– This was during the first year of the full-scale war. The mood was such that everyone wanted to help. If you did something for the army, you got support. No one stopped you, no one started questioning rules or checking details. Everyone did what they could.

Today, Repower's work is conducted in collaboration with Ukraine's Armed Forces. The selection of participants is made by the military medical leadership, and when a person is deemed in need of psychological recovery, a special work order is issued. This gives the organisation formal rights to take active military personnel abroad for rehabilitation.

The programme includes everything from structured therapy sessions and mental exercises to rest and physical activities. Sebastian Lindström has been involved in building Repower for several years and describes the challenges that often face participants when they arrive.

– The big question is how to get people to want to take responsibility for their mental health themselves. Many still carry a "Soviet legacy," where psychological help is associated with shame, almost like a punishment. Seeing a psychologist is not something one strives for or identifies as a personal need.

Moreover, the programme is not a voluntary choice; participation comes by order. It is not a holiday, not recreation, but a work trip. A work with oneself.

The first days are therefore often marked by hesitation. Many sit silently, absorbed in their phones, mentally still at the front. To cope with everyday life in war, most have built up a mental shield, a reluctance to connect with new people. Becoming friends with someone also means the risk of losing that person.

But after a few days, something starts to happen.

– Tensions ease, and that shield slowly cracks. Much happens just by being here, for example, walking in a forest without the risk of mines, or just being able to sauna in the evening, says Sebastian.

In addition, adrenaline experiences are included, but with a crucial difference: they are associated with safety.

– Go-karting, climbing, or parachuting gives the body a reminder that strong emotions do not always mean danger, explains Sebastian.

During the day, the Ukrainian participants meet Swedish field medics. Together they hold presentations, compare equipment, discuss experiences, and exchange small souvenirs. For the Swedish representatives, the meeting is a reminder of the difference between theory and reality.

– This is invaluable. To be able to partake in this type of experience cannot be learned from books, says a platoon leader from the Swedish Armed Forces.

For lunch, grilled chicken, potatoes, pasta salad, and mushroom soup are served. At one of the tables, with coffee for dessert, Nordic Defence Sector interviews two of the participants, Olena and Ivan, both with long experience from the front. Meanwhile, another part of the group goes on a tour with Stridsbåt 90 together with representatives from the Stockholm Amphibious Regiment.

In the afternoon, the day's first official guest arrives: Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin. During an hour-long Q&A session, he presents the government's continued support for Ukraine and takes questions from the participants. Ivan, who was interviewed during lunch, gives a speech where he emphasises the importance of Swedish support and shares his unit's experiences from the front.

He mentioned beforehand that he was nervous, both about his English and the length of the speech. There is much he wants to convey to the minister during his speech, but his nervousness was not noticeable.

“My friends!”

Thus begins Mikael Frisell, Director General of the Civil Defence and Resilience Agency, his speech as the day's last guest. He emphasises the importance of continued support for Ukraine's medics, not only in the form of materiel but also through initiatives like Repower. The speech concludes with standing applause for the Director General.

In connection with the visit, he stops for an interview.

– It means a lot to be here. Partly because we support Repower, but also to be able to say directly to these heroes that they have my personal support, the support of the authorities, and the support of all of Sweden.

The meeting takes place as the preparedness of Swedish industry is to be increased. How do you ensure that the industry is ready if a crisis or war comes?

– It is crucial to involve the entire industry when it comes to strengthening our preparedness. The advice and recommendations that now exist are very important to take to heart, and therefore we try to facilitate as many forums and seminars as possible together with the industry, to truly support the work of raising preparedness, concludes Mikael Frisell.

As the clock approaches evening, the day's activities begin to wind down. For the participants, rest awaits, and for Kateryna, it is also an opportunity to summarise. Sunk into an armchair in the lobby, she looks out over the group that has started to prepare for the evening, people who were strangers barely two weeks ago.

– At the end of the programme, we see how strong the community becomes. Participants continue to keep in touch, send pictures of when they meet, and continue going to therapy, says Kateryna and pauses for a moment.

– And then we have the ring.

She fingers a silver-coloured ring hanging around her neck.

– We have a ceremony where everyone receives a ring, designed by a Danish designer. It has no beginning and no end. It symbolises the infinite. And we tell them that every time they feel sorrow, they can touch the ring and remember all the beautiful moments here in Sweden, concludes Kateryna Serduik.