Main points
- Veteran Mykola Shot became the first quadruple amputee in Ukraine to go skiing and ski in Bukovel.
- Thanks to the help of the team and a professional instructor, he successfully drove the most difficult tracks, feeling the adrenaline and planning further descents.
For the first time in Ukraine: a defender who lost four limbs in the war took to skiing / Collage of Channel 24
Russo-Ukrainian War veteran Mykola Shot became the first quadruple amputee to hit the ski slopes. The defender lost his arms and legs in the Bakhmut direction.
Despite this, he was able to fulfill his dream and ski in Bukovel. This was reported by the UNBROKEN Center.
How was the first descent?
The first challenge was the equipment – putting on prosthetic gear was not easy. But with the help of the team, veteran Mykola Shot independently reached the descent and rode several meters without falling once, despite the strong pressure on the amputated parts of his lower limbs.
Later, the veteran switched to adaptive skis and, together with a professional instructor, raced along the most difficult trails in Bukovel.
Adrenaline. I felt such adrenaline. It was cool! Such speed… I recommend everyone to try it!
– Mykola shared after the descent.
The defender was accompanied by Bukovel Ski School chief instructor Mykhailo Boychuk the entire time. According to him, this is the first such case in Ukraine: “This is the first time a military man with four amputees gets on skis. Life after injury continues, and we are happy to be a part of this journey.”
Mykola Shot says that this descent definitely won't be his last – he plans to return to skiing, perhaps this season.
What is known about the defender?
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41-year-old Mykola Shot defended Ukraine as part of the 93rd separate mechanized brigade “Kholodny Yar”. In 2024, he received a serious mine-explosive injury in the Bakhmut direction, as a result of which he lost both arms and legs.
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Despite this, Mykola did not give up. The former patient and now mentor of the UNBROKEN Center proves every day that life after amputation is possible. In the spring of 2025, he took part in his first race with prosthetics, and in the summer he plans to return to driving.
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This year, the defender decided to fulfill another dream – to ski again. In his youth, Mykola was involved in biathlon for over 20 years, so winter sports are special to him.