Ukrainian Paralympic athletes racking up medals after escaping chaotic situation back home

Russia-born Putin critic joins 'Your World'

Ukrainian Paralympic athletes have taken Beijing by storm and have risen to near the top of the leaderboard while competing with heavy hearts as their home country is invaded by Russia.

Heading into Tuesday’s events, Ukraine had a total of eight medals – tied with the U.S. and Germany. However, the team was behind Canada, which had 12, and China, which led the way with 25, including seven gold medals. Ukraine is tied with Canada with four gold medals each.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had a reverberating effect on the sports world, and the Paralympic Games were no different. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Games.

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Left to right, Silver medalist Oleksandr Kazik of the Ukraine, alongside his guide Serhii Kucheriavyi, gold medalist Vitalii Lukianenko of the Ukraine, alongside his guide Boys Babar (left of center), and bronze medalist Dmytro Suiarko of the Ukraine, alongside his guide Oleksandr Nikonovych, pose together for a group photo after their domination in the Men's Sprint Vision Impaired Para Biathlon at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre. Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games, Zhangjiakou, China, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (Thomas Lovelock/OIS via AP)

Ukrainian Paralympic Committee President Valeriy Sushkevych told reporters last week that it took more than four days for the team to get to Beijing.

"It's a miracle that we're here. … A part of our team was already abroad. A part of our team was in Ukraine. All the necessary equipment was in Ukraine. … We had to unite all those parts," he said, via Reuters.

"It is 25 years I am president of the national