Russia's war took his home and scattered his family, but didn't stop his path to sporting elite

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kirilo Marsak was only 17 years old. The war forced him to leave his home country and tore his family apart — relatives were scattered across different places and now worry about one another every day.

A home lost in Kherson

One of the heaviest blows for the Marsak family was the destruction of their home in Kherson as a result of Russian attacks. The city, which endured occupation and heavy shelling during the war, is no longer a place they can return to.

Sport as support through hard times

Despite the losses and the family's dispersal, Kirilo, now 21, has continued with skating. He himself emphasizes that it was his parents' love and faith that carried him through this difficult period and allowed him to keep moving toward the top of his sport.

In an interview with TVNET+, the young Ukrainian shared his personal experience — how the war changed his life, and how, despite all the hardships, he has managed to stay focused on sport and keep developing as a skater.