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Four cadets from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy are soon setting out on one of the most demanding challenges of the summer. In a 7.5-meter open-sea rowing boat, they will cover approximately 1,200 kilometres from Bergen to London to raise funds for Fritt Ukraina.
The project is named «Row for Ukraine 2026», and even before departure it has already raised more than NOK 200,000 in support of Fritt Ukraina.
On 27 June, Henrik Listhaug, Aleksander Skogly Jensen, Frikk Ekeberg and Erik Gulbrandsen will set course from Bryggen in Bergen. The goal is to reach London via the River Thames after around 14 days at sea through some of Europe’s most challenging waters.
– We are a group of friends who really want to achieve this together. We also learn about this at the Naval Academy, supporting each other and handling challenging situations, says Henrik Listhaug.
– The front line in Ukraine is around 1,200 kilometres long. When we measured the route we will row across the North Sea, it turned out to be roughly the same distance. In a way, we are rowing the length of the front line that Ukrainians defend every single day. It puts our own challenge into perspective, says Aleksander Skogly-Jensen.
Read more about the expedition «Row for Ukraine 2026»
Keeping focus on the war in Ukraine
The aim of the expedition is both to raise funds and to help keep attention on the war in Ukraine.
The cadets stress that they want to remind people that the war is still ongoing, and that the need for support remains as urgent as before.
The war in Ukraine is just as severe as when it began, but in a news landscape dominated by constant global competition, the cadets feel the issue often fades into the background.
– Ukraine is not only fighting for its own freedom. They are on the front line for Europe’s right to live freely, says Erik Gulbrandsen.
The boat they will row is built to withstand harsh open-sea conditions. During the journey they will live, sleep and operate watches aboard the small rowing vessel.
– It is not a large boat. We will live and operate in it for about 14 days. But at sea it performs well. It is good to row and designed to withstand rough waters. It is built for the North Sea, says Erik Gulbrandsen.
The cadets will row through some of the world’s busiest and most weather-exposed sea areas, crossing major shipping lanes and passing oil and gas fields before arriving in London as planned.
Throughout the crossing, the crew will operate on a continuous 24-hour watch system based on military training and established procedures for safe navigation.
Sharing the expedition in a podcast
The cadets have also taken part in the podcast BFO Befaler, where they discuss preparations, motivation behind the project, and what lies ahead during the demanding crossing from Bergen to London.
In the episode, they describe both the practical planning behind the expedition, how they train and prepare mentally, and why they are dedicating their summer to raising funds in support of Ukraine.
Listen to the podcast (in Norwegian): BFO Befaler: Kadetter ror fra Bergen til London
Teamwork and endurance
The four cadets study different disciplines at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and have divided responsibilities on board between navigation, safety, technical operations and communication.
They have backgrounds in marine engineering, weapons systems technology and logistics, and are trained to operate under pressure in demanding maritime environments.
Aleksander Skogly Jensen will serve as captain and navigator during the crossing.
– We know each other very well. We know our weaknesses and our strengths, he says.
Preparation has been ongoing for a long time, and the participants are clear that the challenge will be both physically and mentally demanding.
– We have all chosen this voluntarily, so the threshold for giving up is high. My biggest fear is being dead weigh, just eating food and being unable to row, says Frikk Ekeberg.
– The North Sea is known as one of the most demanding sea areas in the world. Crossing it in a rowing boat will undoubtedly be an enormous challenge, says Ekeberg.
Departure from Bryggen 27 June
Departure will take place from Bryggen in Bergen on 27 June at 15:00. There will be an informal gathering with representatives from Fritt Ukraina, family, friends and supporters before the crew sets out on the long journey towards the United Kingdom.
Arrival in London is scheduled for 11 July.
Supporting Fritt Ukraina
Surplus funds from the expedition will go to Fritt Ukraina’s work delivering critical equipment and support to Ukraine through established partner networks.
– We are not only rowing for ourselves. We are rowing to show support, raise funds and keep attention on the issue. Ukraine still needs both practical and moral support, says Aleksander Skogly-Jensen.
Fritt Ukraina is deeply grateful for the commitment, effort and initiative shown by the cadets behind «Row for Ukraine 2026».
The project demonstrates solidarity, endurance and a strong desire to contribute to supporting the Ukrainian people at a time when the war continues to require enormous human and material resources.