---
title: "Ring on a Barge and Fights on a Dirigible: Artem Grot Reveals the Ambitious Plans of the M13 Veterans' Movement"
description: "M13 founder Artem Grot stated that M13 FIGHTS tournaments are only the beginning: the team plans to scale up veterans' initiatives in Ukraine, establish cooperation with motorcycle clubs in the USA and Europe, and in the long term hold fights on a dirigible."
date: 2026-09-09T10:16:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/m13-fights-artem-grot-ambitious-plans
tags: [m13-fights, veterans, mma, ukraine, combat-sports, artem-grot, rehabilitation]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ring on a Barge and Fights on a Dirigible: Artem Grot Reveals the Ambitious Plans of the M13 Veterans' Movement

![Fighters of the M13 veterans movement in gloves with the organization's logo during a match in the ring](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/09/m13-fights-artem-grot-plany-masshtabirovaniya/m13-fights-artem-grot-plany-masshtabirovaniya-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Artem Grot stated that M13 FIGHTS tournaments are only the beginning of scaling up the veterans' movement in Ukraine
- The M13 team already maintains contacts with veterans' motorcycle clubs in the USA and Europe
- The organizers categorically choose unconventional venues: a barge on the Dnipro, a dramatic theater, and in the future — a dirigible
- Grot expressed hope for deepening cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs of Ukraine

Artem Grot, a veteran of the Special Operations Forces and founder of the M13 veterans' movement, stated that the current sporting events under the M13 FIGHTS brand are only the first stage in the project's development. According to him, the team intends to scale up veterans' initiatives within Ukraine and build sustainable cooperation with similar communities abroad. Grot emphasized that the team's imagination is "unlimited" and that, in the long term, they are even considering fights on a dirigible and in mid-air. The statement came against the backdrop of the recent M13 FIGHTS tournament, which became one of the most discussed events in the Ukrainian veterans' sports space.

### A Format That Breaks Stereotypes

M13 FIGHTS is not just a series of mixed martial arts and full-contact combat sports bouts. The organizers categorically reject standard arenas and seek out unconventional venues, turning every tournament into a spectacular event. Events already held took place on a barge in the middle of the Dnipro River, inside a dramatic theater, and on other atypical locations. This approach not only attracts a wide audience but also underscores the unique character of the veterans' movement: here, fights are not entertainment but a means of rehabilitation, unity, and a demonstration of resilience. Photos from the latest tournaments show participants in camouflage uniforms and MMA gloves stepping onto a rope-surrounded ring against the backdrop of a dark hall or open water — an atmosphere far removed from commercial sports shows.

### International Contacts and Plans Abroad

Grot reported that the M13 team already maintains working contacts with veterans' motorcycle clubs in the USA and Europe. These connections are seen as the foundation for future exchange of formats and joint events. At the same time, the founder of M13 clearly outlined the priority: the main direction remains the development of the veterans' movement within Ukraine. "Our veterans' movement is the most relevant one in Ukraine. That is, if we see demand abroad, of course, we will take all of this out there and promote it. But, first and foremost, we are interested in doing this within the country, scaling up in terms of format, scaling up in terms of connections and cooperation," Grot explained. Thus, international expansion is possible, but strictly subject to external demand and without compromising domestic projects.

### A Dirigible, Mid-Air, and Other Crazy Ideas

Talking about the future, Grot did not hold back his imagination: "I think this is only the beginning. That is, my imagination and that of our team are unlimited. We will come up with fights on a dirigible, in mid-air." These words are not merely a rhetorical device but a reflection of the M13 philosophy, in which every tournament must be memorable and go beyond the conventional. The team has previously demonstrated its willingness to experiment, holding fights on the water and in theatrical spaces. Looking ahead, according to open-source reports, veterans are also considering setting a new Guinness World Record on the Dnipro, which further underscores M13's drive for large-scale, media-visible actions.

### State Partnership as a Strategic Goal

Separately, Grot expressed hope for deepening M13's cooperation with state institutions. Primarily, this refers to the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs. As envisioned by the organizers, systematic interaction with government bodies will not only legitimize veterans' sports formats but also integrate them into broader rehabilitation and social adaptation programs for military personnel and veterans. M13 FIGHTS is part of the wider M13 movement, which brings together sports, rehabilitation, and other projects aimed at supporting military personnel and veterans. Thus, mixed martial arts tournaments are only the visible part of an ecosystem in which sport serves as a tool for recovery and social integration.

### Context: Ukrainian Veterans' Sports on the International Stage

In parallel with the development of M13 FIGHTS, Ukrainian fighters continue to make their mark on the international stage. Recently, media attention was drawn to the impressive victory of a Ukrainian UFC star at a tournament in Paris, which further intensifies interest in the Ukrainian veterans' sports community. In a situation where M13 is building bridges to Western veterans' organizations, such successes at global tournaments create additional resonance and open up opportunities for exchanging experience, joint projects, and drawing international attention to veterans' issues.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Fights on a Dirigible and International Partnerships: M13 FIGHTS Tournament Expands Its Boundaries](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/othersport/boyi-dirizhabli-i-mizhnarodni-partnerstva-1788948900.html) - Первичный источник заявления Артема Грота. Подтверждены: цитаты о дирижабле, международные контакты с мотоклубами США и Европы, приоритет внутреннего развития, планы сотрудничества с госструктурами.
- [A Ring in the Middle of the Dnipro, Veterans, and a Golden AK-47: The Brightest Moments of the M13 FIGHTS Tournament (Photos)](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/othersport/ring-posered-dnipra-veterani-ta-zolotiy-ak-1788692431.html) - Первичный источник заявления Артема Грота. Подтверждены: цитаты о дирижабле, международные контакты с мотоклубами США и Европы, приоритет внутреннего развития, планы сотрудничества с госструктурами.
- [M13 FIGHTS Military Tournament Held on a Barge in Kyiv](https://novosti.ua/society/turnir-voennyh-m13-fights-proshel-na-barzhe-v-kieve) - Независимое подтверждение проведения турнира M13 FIGHTS на барже в Киеве. Согласуется с описанием Грота.
- [Ukrainian Veterans Plan a New Guinness Record on the Dnipro: First Details](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayinski-veterani-planuyut-noviy-rekord-1788882274.html) - Дополнительный контекст: планы ветеранов по установлению рекорда Гиннеса на Днепре. Использован как вспомогательный факт в абзаце о безумных идеях.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What is M13 FIGHTS?
**A:** M13 FIGHTS is a series of mixed martial arts and full-contact combat sports tournaments organized by the M13 veterans' movement. The tournaments are held at unconventional venues: on a barge on the Dnipro River, in a dramatic theater, and other atypical locations.

### Q: Who is Artem Grot?
**A:** Artem Grot is a veteran of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces and the founder of the M13 veterans' movement, which brings together sports, rehabilitation, and social projects for military personnel and veterans.

### Q: What international connections does M13 have?
**A:** According to Artem Grot, the M13 team already maintains contacts with veterans' motorcycle clubs in the USA and Europe. International expansion of formats is possible if there is external demand, but the priority remains development within Ukraine.

### Q: Which state structures does M13 plan to cooperate with?
**A:** Artem Grot expressed hope for deepening cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, as well as with the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs.

### Q: Where have M13 FIGHTS tournaments already been held?
**A:** M13 FIGHTS tournaments have been held on a barge in the middle of the Dnipro River in Kyiv, in a dramatic theater, and at other unconventional venues. In the future, the organizers are considering fights on a dirigible and in mid-air.