Dubai Mum of Four Plants UAE Flag on Europe’s Highest Peak in Solo Climb

Sofya Shamuzova, a Dubai-based businesswoman and mother of four, has achieved an awe-inspiring feat by successfully summiting Mount Elbrus—Europe’s highest mountain at 5,642 metres—as part of her ongoing Seven Summits challenge.

Sofya was the only climber out of six who attempted the ascent on May 15 to reach the peak, battling sub-zero temperatures and powerful winds to proudly plant the UAE flag at the summit.

“This summit is dedicated to the people of the UAE—a country where no dream is too big, and no obstacle too strong,” said Sofya. “Limits exist only in the mind.”

Her mountaineering journey began with Mount Kilimanjaro on September 2, 2023, where she celebrated her 45th birthday by raising the UAE flag. Now, with two summits complete, she continues her mission to climb the tallest peak on each continent within 30 months.

Born in Ukraine, Sofya’s resilience was forged during the 2022 Russian invasion, where she walked 16 kilometres to Poland in freezing conditions before enduring a 16-hour bus ride to safety. That harrowing experience, she says, taught her what real strength looks like.

“Climbing mountains is tough, but surviving war taught me I’m capable of far more.”

Now a successful entrepreneur managing multiple businesses in hospitality and F&B across Dubai, Sofya credits her childhood climbs with her father for igniting her adventurous spirit.

She views her Seven Summits mission as a tribute to the UAE, her home for over 20 years:

“The UAE gave me the opportunity to grow, and I want to show the world that with determination, anything is possible.”