Anastasia Kucherova, a Russian architect from Milan, carried the banner of Ukraine at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, expressing her opposition to the war.

The Russian architect settled in Milan made a symbolic gesture at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, carrying the banner of the Ukrainian team. Although initially anonymous, Kucherova chose to support Ukraine, expressing her opposition to Russia's war. During the ceremony, she wore a silver coat with a hood and sunglasses, and the banner was illuminated to be visible. Kucherova stated that it is important to make a small gesture to show that not all Russians think alike. In an interview, she emphasized the deep connection between Russians and Ukrainians, which could have continued without war. Although she has not been in Russia since 2018, she is aware of the risks involved in expressing her opinion. Kucherova also carried the banner of Denmark, highlighting solidarity with other nations. In the end, she felt that the entire stadium recognized the Ukrainians' desire for freedom, weeping silently behind her glasses.