Winter Paralympics: Russia raises its flag with first medals since 2014 as Ukraine dominates the gold rush.

Russian competitors took advantage of the Winter Paralympic Games, earning two medals upon their return from suspension. Yet by the end of the opening day, Ukraine topped the medal standings.

Russia’s re‑entry into global sport under its own flag has been a focal point in Milano‑Cortina. Bronze medals for Alpine world champions Varvara Voronchikhina and Aleksei Bugaev in disciplines outside their main strengths will draw further attention. In contrast, Ukraine’s commanding performance in the Nordic programme, highlighted by a complete victory in the men’s biathlon sprint, shows its promise to “be strong” at these Games.

The Russian banner has been absent from Paralympic competition and medal charts since Sochi 2014, following a state‑run doping scandal and the subsequent invasion of Ukraine. Nevertheless, Voronchikhina secured a podium finish in the Games’ second Alpine contest, taking third in the women’s standing downhill. On clear weather and before large audiences on the Tofane slopes, she trailed Sweden’s gold‑medalist Ebba Aarsjoe by 2.47 seconds and hinted at further ambitions.

When questioned about racing under the Russian flag, Voronchikhina responded: “It’s been a long period without the flag. My nation and my teammates are relieved. I’m delighted to have earned my first medal. It’s a bronze, but I’m very pleased. I hope to ski faster in the upcoming races.”

Voronchikhina will take part in four additional events in her class, as will Bugaev, who captured bronze in the men’s downhill standing. Bugaev expressed pride in contributing to Russia’s presence on the medal list. “I’m pleased, I guess,” he said. “I earned the medal for my country, for Russia. I’m glad to represent my nation.”

Russia’s six competitors – plus four snowboarders – are stationed at the Cortina base for these distant Games. The Ukrainian delegation, by contrast, is located about 50 miles away in Tesero, the site of the Nordic competitions, and stayed there during Friday’s opening ceremony after opting to boycott the event over Russia’s participation.

On Saturday, Ukrainian athletes opened strongly, as Taras Rad secured gold in the men’s sitting sprint of para‑biathlon. He was soon joined by Oleksandra Kononova, who took gold, and Liudmyla Liashenko, who earned bronze, in the women’s standing sprint. The day’s last Nordic race saw a complete sweep by Oleksandr Kazik, Iaroslav Reshetynskyi and Anatolii Kovalevskyi in the men’s visually impaired sprint.

“Glory to Ukraine,” Kononova declared. “I dedicate this win to the Ukrainian people and our armed forces, as the country endures hard times. We are at war and continue to fight. We also strive to represent Ukraine to the fullest. I’m thrilled to hold a gold medal today, so the Ukrainian anthem can be heard here.”