Moscow: The move has sparked outrage from Ukraine, the UK, and other international voices who view it as a blow to Olympic values during an ongoing war of aggression.

Ukraine’s Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi led the backlash, branding the decision a betrayal of “conscience and the Olympic values.” He warned European partners not to “allow the flag of the aggressor state to be raised over the free and democratic space while the war of aggression continues.” Ukraine signaled it would decide on its participation later, leaving its future in Paralympic competition uncertain.

The UK government also expressed “significant disappointment,” with a spokesperson stressing that Russia and Belarus should remain excluded from international sport while the war persists, citing breaches of the Olympic Charter. ParalympicsGB echoed its solidarity with Ukraine, noting it had supported the original motion to suspend Russia, though it acknowledged the democratic outcome of the IPC vote.

Despite the ruling, participation by Russian and Belarusian athletes in the six winter Paralympic sports remains uncertain. Governing bodies for para alpine skiing, para cross-country skiing, para snowboarding, para biathlon, para ice hockey, and wheelchair curling continue to uphold bans, meaning athletes from both nations cannot compete without valid licenses.

The Russian Paralympic Committee, however, hailed the decision as “fair” and an example of defending athletes’ rights “without discrimination on national or political grounds.” The committee emphasized the ruling as a contribution to the international Paralympic movement.

The development follows last week’s announcement by the International Olympic Committee allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics, continuing the neutrality framework from the Paris Games. Notably, the Russian flag has been absent from the Paralympics since the 2014 Sochi Games, underscoring the symbolic weight of the latest decision.