On July 28, 2026, Sasha Paskal, a 10-year-old rhythmic gymnast from Ukraine, showcased her remarkable resilience at the United Nations Office in Nairobi. Her performance marked part of UNICEF's 80th anniversary celebrations and was the fourth stop on her global 'Dance of Freedom Tour.'

Sasha's life changed drastically in 2022 when a Russian missile strike in the Odesa region critically injured her. A concrete slab fell onto her left leg during the attack, leading to its amputation after she spent 15 days in a medically induced coma.

Despite this, Sasha returned to gymnastics with the aid of a prosthetic limb. Over the past four years, she has competed alongside able-bodied athletes, earning multiple medals, including gold at the Carla's Rhythmic Cup in Romania earlier in 2026. Her courage was recognised in 2025 when President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska awarded her the 'Future of Ukraine' state honour.

Dance of Freedom Tour

The 'Dance of Freedom Tour,' initiated by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation with FC Shakhtar Donetsk, has taken Sasha to major cities including Paris, New York, and Rio de Janeiro, with Tokyo scheduled as the final stop. In Nairobi, Sasha also engaged with local gymnastics communities and schools, including the Elite Gymnastics Academy and Kinyanjui Road Primary School.

UNICEF Kenya and the Ukrainian Embassy highlighted the tour as a cultural initiative spanning five continents, aiming to raise awareness about children's experiences in conflict zones while fostering expression, healing, hope, and solidarity.

Family and Advocacy

Before her Nairobi performance, Sasha and her mother Maria visited the UN Headquarters to discuss resilience and the urgent need for peace. Maria emphasised the importance of keeping global attention on the ongoing war in Ukraine and the needs of its youngest victims.

Sasha's story has also inspired an inclusive comic book, The Heart Sees More Than the Eyes, supported by UNICEF's UPSHIFT programme. The book, used in classrooms, promotes understanding of disability and inclusion among children by following a young gymnast who continues training after losing a leg.