Russia's flag was raised on a Games podium for the first time in a ‌decade as the country won two bronze medals in the men's and women's downhill standing events at the Milano Cortina Paralympics on Saturday.

For the first time in 12 years, Russia will compete under its national flag at the 2026 Paralympic Games — a return that comes despite its ongoing all-out war against Ukraine and a pattern of doping scandals that led to the initial ban.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Athletes at the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics, the first global sports event since the war in the Middle East began last week, have been trying to block out news of the conflicts and focus on their preparations for the Games that officially start on Friday.

It's another indicator that Russia and its national identity will be fully restored in Olympic circles well ahead of the 2028 Summer Games.

Ukrainian officials announced a boycott of the Paralympic Games after Russia and Belarus were awarded slots to compete under their national flags, sparking international controversy.

Russia’s flag was paraded at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics for the first time since 2014 prompting a boycott by several nations led by Ukraine.

Athletes from Russia and Belarus parade behind their nations' flags at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics as the 50th anniversary edition of the Games officially gets under way.