Russian President Vladimir Putin opened the Winter Paralympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi and was immediately confronted by an emotional Ukrainian protest on a politically-charged night. The games will run until 16th March.As athletes from 45 countries took part in the opening ceremony yesterday, only one Ukrainian competitor appeared in a symbolic, scaled-down presence of the country that has denounced Russia's intervention in Crimea.Spectators gave huge cheers and some even stood to applaud 37-year-old skier and biathlete Mykhailo Tkachenko who came through the Fisht stadium in his wheelchair. Tkachenko carried his country's national flag for his 31-strong team who did not enter the stadium with him.