The Russian national team achieved an unprecedented record at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Italy, finishing third in the overall medal standings, despite the minimal composition.
Six Russian athletes won 12 awards, including eight gold medals. No country in the history of the Paralympics has been able to climb into the top three with such a small number of participants.
Russia surpassed countries such as Austria, Canada, France and Ukraine, which fielded full teams, in terms of the number of major prizes.
The last day of the competition, March 15, was especially bright, when the Russians won three golds in a row. Skater Ivan Golubkov won his second championship.
After that, skater Anastasia Bagyan replenished her treasury with a third gold medal, and Alexei Bugaev also became the champion of the Paralympic Games, adding the highest award to his asset, which already included two bronze.
The Russian team also included Varvara Voronchikhina, Dmitry Fadeev and Philip Shippo.
Russian President Vladimir Putin later congratulated the skaters Anastasia Bajyan and Varvara Voronchikhina on their victory. He pointed out that Baghyan was able to win the gold medal thanks to her excellent preparation, stability and personality.