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Antonina Samoilova: Raise the Ukrainian flag to the highest peak in the world

The Ukrainian climber Antonina Samoilova, who conquered last week Everestcried as she hoisted the Ukrainian flag on the highest peak in the world, as she revealed to the French Agency, after her return to Kathmandu.

Her father and brother were serving in the Ukrainian army while holding the flag with the slogan “Stand by Ukraine”. and defended their country against Russian forces.

Samoilova said Ukraine should receive more aid after the Russian invasion. “It’s sad (…) It’s not good for us Ukrainians, because we need more help, everyone has to help us. “It’s not over yet (the war) in Ukraine.”he stressed.

“I already knew before the mission that I would be the only Ukrainian this year on Mount Everest. “That motivated me to reach the top because I knew that if I did not do it, then who?” narrated.

Antonina Samoilova was at the top of Orissava, Mexico’s highest mountain, last February when the first information about Russian invasion of Ukraine. And this first information about the war came from her sister who was hiding in Kyiv, in an anti-aircraft shelter.

During the mission to Mount Everest, her morale plummeted because for many days she had no contact with her father and brother, who have declared themselves volunteers in the Ukrainian army. Returning to Kathmandu, he was greatly relieved to learn that things were quiet in their area.

Hundreds of messages of support, from friends and strangers, reached her mobile phone when she returned to the base camp. “Tonya, you are not only our pride, you are the pride of Ukraine” wrote her father.

Nepal has issued 319 mountaineering licenses to foreign climbers on Mount Everest this year (mid-April to late May). All of them must be accompanied by at least one Nepalese guide.

Antonina Samoilova hopes that she will soon join the “closed” club of climbers who managed to climb the “seven peaks”, ie the highest mountains of seven continents. It already has the Kilimanjaro of Africa, Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus and Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica.

In the meantime, however, she hopes to see again her sister and nephew who have taken refuge in Croatia, but also her father and brother who remain in Ukraine. “I just want to hug them”he said simply.

Source: News Beast

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