Ukraine has denounced as "scandalous" the International Paralympic Committee's (CIP) decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags at the 2026 Milan Cortina Paralympic Games. The CIP confirmed that six Russian athletes and four Belarusian athletes will participate, marking the return of these nations after being banned following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with Belarus's support. Ukrainian Minister of Sports Matviy Bidny stated on X that allowing "killers and their accomplices" to compete under their national flags is "disappointing and scandalous," arguing that these flags represent regimes using sport as a tool for war and propaganda. Russia will have representatives in para-alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboard, while Belarus will have four spots in cross-country skiing. A CIP representative indicated these athletes will be treated like those from any other nation, and the president of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee expressed indignation but ruled out a boycott.