Along with the Paralympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus (PCB), the RPC was suspended by the IPC during its Extraordinary General Assembly last week.

The suspension comes as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has received tactical support from Belarus.

State news agency TASS reports chief brand and communications officer Craig Spence insisted the RPC must still pay up.

"The Russian Paralympic Committee is required to pay a fee in 2023 after its suspension in accordance with Article 17.1 of the charter of the International Paralympic Committee," Spence said, as reported by TASS.

"For 2022, the RPC has already paid its membership fee, the amount of which is confidential information."

A suspended IPC member automatically loses all rights and privileges of a member, but must continue to observe the obligations of one.

This includes payment of IPC membership fees.

"The IPC Member will lose the right to vote at General Assembly meetings; to enter its athletes in the Paralympic Games; and to participate in IPC activities," the IPC's constitution reads.

"Any suspended IPC Member may not have any sporting contact with other IPC Members."

RPC President Pavel Rozhkov has confirmed it will exercise its right of appeal while he described the decision to suspend the RPC as "truly disgusting".

PCB chairman Oleg Shepel criticised the IPC for the decision and also said his organisation plans to appeal.

"The suspension is illegal, wrong, and politics should not prevail in the Paralympic Movement," Shepel said, as reported by TASS.

The RPC was suspended by a margin of 64 votes to 39, with 16 abstentions, while the PCB was suspended by a narrower margin of 54 to 45, with 18 abstentions.

insidethegames has contacted the IPC for comment.