As the 2026 Paralympics approach, the Russian company Bosco has been named the official outfitter for the Russian Paralympic team, stirring controversy over its ties to the Ukrainian market. Bosco, known for its connection to Vladimir Putin’s associates, has been found selling apparel in Ukraine, marketed as part of the national Olympic sports brand.
The Ukrainian Paralympic team has been compelled to change its uniform due to political implications, prompting investigations into Bosco’s new designs for Russian athletes. The Russian Paralympic Committee has unveiled uniforms in red and gold, claiming the design symbolizes past victories at the Olympics.
Bosco has a long history as the outfitter for various national teams, having served from 2001 to 2017. The brand outfitted teams from Russia, Ukraine, and Spain during the 2012 London Olympics and was a key partner during the Sochi Olympics in 2014. In 2025, Bosco was reinstated as the outfitter for Russian athletes.
Mikhail Kusnirovich, the founder and chairman of Bosco, is a prominent figure in Russian business, having been listed among the wealthiest individuals in Russia by Forbes. He became well-known for his close ties to the Kremlin, particularly during the 2018 presidential elections when he campaigned for Putin.
Despite Bosco’s official partnership with the Russian team, its past involvement with the Ukrainian Olympic team raises questions. The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine had a contract with Bosco starting in 2010, and Ukrainian athletes wore its uniforms during the 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Olympics. The Ukrainian branch of Bosco, established in Kyiv, was founded by Kusnirovich’s associate, Mikhail Suprunenko.
Currently, Bosco’s old collections and new items featuring Ukrainian symbols are still available for purchase in Ukraine through various online platforms. The online store boscosportukraine.com.ua promotes itself as a patriotic brand supporting Ukrainian athletes, despite its Russian origins.
Vladimir Malik, who operates the online store, claims to be a sports official affiliated with the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. However, inquiries revealed that he has no official ties to the committee. Malik’s marketing strategy emphasizes patriotism while promoting Bosco apparel as if it were Ukrainian-made.
When approached for clarification about the origins of the Bosco products, Malik insisted they were produced in Italy, a claim that lacks substantiation. The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine has firmly distanced itself from Bosco, stating that any use of its logo or Olympic history by the brand is unauthorized and could lead to legal action.
Maxim Cheberyaka, spokesperson for the National Olympic Committee, reiterated that the official outfitter for the Ukrainian team is now 4F, and Bosco has not been associated with the committee since 2014. He emphasized the potential reputational damage caused by Bosco’s continued presence in the market.
The Russian company Bosco, now outfitting the Russian Paralympic team, is under scrutiny for selling apparel in Ukraine, misleadingly marketed as Ukrainian Olympic gear. The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine has condemned this practice, asserting that Bosco has no official ties to them and warning of potential legal actions.