Russian Architect Stages Silent Protest for Ukraine at Winter Olympics
In a poignant and symbolic act of defiance, a Russian woman living in Milan led Ukraine's Olympic team into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Games, voicing her opposition to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. Anastasia Kucherova, an architect who has resided in Italy for 14 years, carried the illuminated Ukraine placard while swathed in a hooded silver puffer coat and dark glasses, ensuring her anonymity among the 92 other placard bearers.
A Deliberate Choice Amidst Random Assignments
Initially, country assignments for the placard bearers were to be random, but the choreographer later asked volunteers for their preferences. Kucherova seized this opportunity to select Ukraine, a decision that allowed her to make a quiet yet powerful statement. Her nationality was not announced to the public as she guided the five Ukrainian athletes into San Siro stadium, where they were met with resounding cheers from the crowd.
Kucherova first revealed her role to her 879 Instagram followers and later in an interview with The Associated Press. She expressed her motivation, stating, "When you walk by the side of these people you realize they have every human right to feel hatred towards any Russian. Still, I think it's important to do even a small action to show them that maybe not all the people are thinking the same way."
Timing and Personal Risk in a Global Context
Speaking out on the second anniversary of dissident Alexei Navalny's poisoning death, Kucherova aimed to remind the world that the war persists, even as daily life continues elsewhere. She reflected on the Ukrainian athletes' resilience, noting, "Ukrainians don't have any possibility to avoid these thoughts or to ignore the existence of war. So it is their reality. They keep loving each other, getting married or doing sports, coming to the Olympics. But all of this is happening against a devastating background."
Without being informed of her Russian origins, the Ukrainian athletes immediately recognized her background and addressed her in Russian. Kucherova saw this as a sign of "some profound connection" between Russians and Ukrainians that could endure if not for the conflict.
Emotional Moments and Broader Implications
The Ukrainian delegation, led by flag bearer Yelyzaveta Sydorko, a short track speedskater, and including figure skater Kyrylo Marsak, both of whom have fathers fighting on the front lines, received a standing ovation. Kucherova described the moment, saying, "I turned around—I didn't know what to say to them—but I just said that the entire stadium is going to give them the standing ovation." Initially skeptical, the athletes were moved by the cheers, which Kucherova interpreted as the stadium "recognizing their independence, recognizing their will for freedom, their courage in making it all the way to the Olympics." She cried silently behind her glasses during this emotional display.
Aware of the risks, Kucherova acknowledged she has not visited Russia since 2018 and fears repercussions for defying the regime. She stated, "I have to be worried about this, and I'm supposed to be scared about this. And I cannot guarantee that me speaking out will not harm any people I know. But what I think is that if I, living in a democratic country and enjoying all the freedoms, if I am scared, this means that the regime has won."
Additional Symbolism and Coincidences
In a curious twist, Kucherova also held the placard for Denmark, which received a rousing ovation for its resistance to U.S. threats to take over Greenland. She pondered this coincidence, adding another layer to her act of protest. This incident underscores the broader themes of resistance and solidarity that permeated the ceremony, highlighting how individual actions can resonate on a global stage amidst geopolitical tensions.
