Ukraine won't stop fighting, adrenaline-fuelled war amputee says

PARIS : Yevhenii Korinets is an adrenaline-fuelled man on a mission. Even if Ukraine are out of medal contention in sitting volleyball at the Paralympics, the war amputee is in Paris to deliver a message - his country will not stop fighting, on and off the battlefield.

Korinets joined the army as a paramedic when Russia's full-scale invasion started in 2022. The former physiotherapist became one of thousands left with life-altering injuries when he was wounded in a fierce battle near the eastern city of Bakhmut in March last year and had his left leg amputated at the hip.

Sports helped him get his life back on track.

"The most difficult time was the initial stages after the injury because the pain was severe and had to be managed with medication. The first two to three months were particularly tough," the bulky, baby-faced 25-year-old told Reuters.

A former volleyball player, Korinets had connections and skills that helped him make his way to the Ukrainian Paralympic team for Paris 2024.

"Sport helped me very much. As I always say, war is the biggest drug in the world. When you experience the adrenaline of military action, you want to feel it again," he explained.

"Sport brings similar adrenaline, similar emotions. It’s not the same, but it’s close. For me, it's rehabilitation - both physical and moral.

"The team are like brothers-in-arms who support you on the front line. If one of us falls out, the whole game can be ruined, the whole training process. We are one team, one family. It’s the same as on the front line."

SOLIDARITY

In Paris, Ukraine lost their first two pool games against Iran and Germany. They have one more to play against Brazil before going into the classification matches.

While he has been enjoying the Games,