Ukrainians celebrate Oleksandr Khyzhniak's Olympic victory amidst conflict

On a Thursday morning, while Yevhen Litvinov was engaged in his oral hygiene routine, his phone buzzed with a notification from a friend. The message contained a YouTube video showcasing the triumph of Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Khyzhniak at the Paris Olympics the previous night.

The Victory

Intrigued, Litvinov hit play and witnessed Khyzhniak unleash a flurry of punches against his opponent, Nurbek Oralbay from Kazakhstan. As the final bell rang and Khyzhniak was declared the victor, a wave of pride washed over Litvinov. "Pride for the nation, for our athletes," expressed the 48-year-old Kyiv resident. He went on to say, "It's not our first gold medal at the Olympics, but it's definitely inspiring."

Khyzhniak's victory at the Paris Olympics provides a much-needed source of positivity for many Ukrainians. The medals won by their compatriots at the Olympic Games stand out as a rare glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing somber reality. Since the start of the year, the persistent advance of Russian troops in Ukraine has cast a shadow over the public mood.