Ukrainian volleyball player and infantry officer Dmytro Melnyk came to Paris for the Paralympic Games at a high cost. He had to leave behind his platoon of 35 soldiers fighting on the front lines against Russia. Since he can’t contact them from France because “they’re in the middle of hell,” he can only hope they’re all still safe when he returns.
Ukraine’s Paralympic Team: Balancing War and Sports
This is the tough reality for Ukraine’s 141 Paralympic athletes, who are trying to focus on winning medals while the Russian attacks on their country weigh heavily on their minds. Some athletes feel that by competing, they’re helping to keep Ukraine in the spotlight. However, the stress of war is clearly with them.
After his volleyball team’s first match, Dmytro Melnyk shared his story, moving his translator to tears. The translator struggled with the harsh reality of Melnyk’s situation, showing how deeply the war affects those still fighting.
“Thank God I don’t have women under my command. Not because they’re bad fighters, but because sending women to a place where death is likely is very scary,” Dmytro Melnyk said.
45 year old Dmytro Melnyk left the front lines on August 18, just 10 days before the Paralympics began. He mentioned that his men are in Chasiv Yar, a city in eastern Ukraine that has been under heavy defense against Russian attempts to capture it.
“Before I came here, I had a platoon of 35 men. I hope that’s still the case. I haven’t been able to contact anyone because they’re in a very dangerous place,” Dmytro Melnyk said. “Let’s assume there are still 35 of them.”
Melnyk’s Paralympic Experience and Military Service
Melnyk, a seasoned Paralympian, injured his left leg at 18, leaving it shorter than his right leg. He competes in sitting volleyball and was part of the Ukrainian team that finished 5th in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
He faced many challenges convincing the Ukrainian military to let him fight against Russia. It took eight months of visits to recruitment centers and some “trickery.” He humorously mentioned pretending to limp because of tight boots when with his troops. Before becoming an infantry officer, he was a drone operator.
Despite his military duties, Dmytro Melnyk views the Paralympic volleyball team as “my second family.” “I’ve been doing this sport for about 20 years. I can’t let my team down,” he said.
Team Support and Ongoing Struggle
Teammate Yevhenii Korinets was happy that commanders allowed Dmytro Melnyk to join the team in Paris.
“It’s really tough for him because army service is constant work,” Korinets said through a translator. “There’s always stress from bombings and dangerous situations. It’s a big achievement for us and for Dmytro to be here.”
Korinets, 27, also served in the war and was severely injured by a mine blast in March 2023, losing his left leg. He had been a physiotherapist before the war and joined the military when Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, later becoming a military paramedic.
“I couldn’t stay at home,” he said. He would enlist again if he could. “I really want to. If I could get my leg back, I’d do it again for my country.”
The Ukrainian Team’s Determination
Ukraine’s first group-stage match didn’t go well; they lost to Iran in three straight sets. With Russian drones targeting Ukrainian cities, Korinets didn’t comment on whether the game felt personal. The players shook hands afterward, showing their sportsmanship.
Even with the ongoing fight for survival, the Ukrainians’ presence in Paris proves their strength. “I have a message to the world: Don’t be afraid, never be afraid of anyone, especially terrorists and murderers,” Melnyk said. “The more we fear, the more people will suffer. And this isn’t just about Ukraine. Everyone needs to understand this.”
