�� President of Russia Vladimir Putin presented state awards of the Russian Federation to the winners and medalists of the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, at the Kremlin.

The Games took place in Italy from March 6 to 15, 2026. The Russian team, comprising six athletes and one sighted guide, competed in three disciplines – cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, and snowboarding – and won a total of 12 medals: eight gold, one silver, and three bronze, securing third place in the overall team standings.

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�� President Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, friends,

I am truly delighted to congratulate you – our national Russian team – on an extraordinary performance at the 14th Winter Paralympics.

You did more than just achieve exceptional results. Many would agree that your participation in the Games marked one of the most remarkable chapters in the history of Paralympic sport. Competing against some of the world’s best athletes, you won 12 medals and secured a top-three finish – all with a team of just six athletes and one guide. By comparison, the teams that placed first and second were more than ten times the size of ours.

You have shown both Russia and the world what it truly means to fulfil the lofty mission of a Paralympic athlete. That mission – and its well-known slogan – is “to inspire and excite the world.” And that is exactly what you did. Millions were captivated by your performances, inspired by your determination, resilience, and will to win. You also brought the most powerful, heartfelt emotions to Russian fans, giving them genuine reasons to cheer and celebrate your achievements.

���� For the first time in 12 years, we saw our beloved Russian flag raised above the Paralympic podium and heard our national anthem with a special sense of pride and emotion – thanks to you. You have made the return of Russia’s key national symbols to the international stage truly triumphant, without exaggeration. <...>

Special words of gratitude go to those who have guided you towards victory for many years – your coaches. Under pressure and restrictions, and without adequate competitive practice, they have upheld the highest standards of the national coaching school, the very foundation of our Fatherland’s numerous sporting achievements, of its glorious history, which has been and will continue to be shaped by heroes like you.

Once again, I congratulate everyone on the outstanding success at the recent Paralympic Games. Thank you for your perseverance, hard work, and mastery.
Allow me to wish you further victories.

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�� The decorations were presented to:

• Anastasia Bagiyan, who won three gold medals in the women's para cross-country skiing vision impaired events;

• Aleksei Bugayev, who secured one gold and two bronze medals in the men's para Alpine skiing standing events;

• Varvara Voronchikhina, who took home two gold, one silver, and one bronze medals from the women's para Alpine skiing standing events;

• Ivan Golubkov, who won two gold medals in the men's para cross-country skiing sitting events;

• Sergei Sinyakin, the sighted guide of Anastasia Bagiyan.