Ten-year-old Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Oleksandra Paskal, who survived a Russian attack that claimed her leg, performed in Times Square in the heart of New York City to remind the world about the plight of Ukrainian children living through war.
Before her performance, Oleksandra and her mother, Mariia, visited the UN Headquarters, where they spoke about recovery after traumatic injury and the importance of peace for children, Ukrinform reports, citing the UN press service.
Oleksandra began practicing rhythmic gymnastics at an early age. She was seriously injured in a Russian missile strike in 2022 after becoming trapped beneath the rubble of a destroyed building. A concrete slab crushed the bones in her leg, and after spending 15 days in a medically induced coma, doctors were forced to amputate the limb.
After several months of rehabilitation, Oleksandra returned to the sport. Using a modern prosthetic leg, she performs dance and acrobatic routines and has spent the past four years competing alongside children without disabilities. The young gymnast has won medals at several competitions.
Her mother, Mariia, said that every performance is an opportunity to keep international attention focused on Ukraine's children.
