Sochi: Ukrainian paralympic cross-country skier and biathlete Mykhaylo Tkachenko enters the stadium the Fisht Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. AFP PHOTO
SOCHI, Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin opened the Winter Paralympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Friday (Saturday in Manila) and was immediately confronted by an emotional Ukrainian protest on a politically-charged night.