Take a punch! With Nikolay Valuev

SMO veterans are returning to civilian life: spending time with loved ones, taking part in sports and supporting others who need help. Nikolay Valuev travels to Tyumen, where he meets Hero of Russia Rustam Saifullin and combat engineer and machine gunner Aleksey Kitov. Despite sustaining life-changing injuries, both men continue to work, raise their children and make plans for the future.

Rustam Saifullin lost one leg and suffered severe injuries to the other. Today, he teaches at the Tyumen Higher Military Engineer Command School and trains in the gym, lifting weights of up to 100 kilograms. Aleksey Kitov lost a foot while clearing mines from a road in the Kursk Region. He practices shooting, plays sledge hockey, takes part in various sports programs and is raising three children.

Alongside the veterans, Nikolay Valuev tries sitting volleyball, shooting and indoor skydiving in a wind tunnel. Rustam and Aleksey share their stories of service, serious injuries, rehabilitation and adjusting to civilian life.

Valuev came to Tyumen hoping to support the veterans, but ultimately admits that it was their strength and energy that inspired him.

Watch “Take a punch! With Nikolay Valuev” on RTD website and on RT’s live feed. The time of the broadcast is available on RT’s schedule page.