A Russian woman, residing in Italy, participated in the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Games by carrying the placard for the Ukrainian team. This action, undertaken anonymously and while disguised like other placard bearers, has been presented as a personal statement against the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The individual involved, Anastasia Kucherova, an architect, revealed her involvement and motivations after the event.
Milan Cortina Winter Games, February 2026 - During the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics held in Milan and Cortina, a notable act of silent protest occurred. Anastasia Kucherova, a Russian national who has lived in Italy for 14 years, was one of 92 individuals tasked with holding placards for the participating nations. These bearers were uniformly dressed in silver puffer coats with hoods and dark glasses, designed to obscure their identities. While initial assignments for placard bearers were random, later opportunities allowed volunteers to select a country. Ms. Kucherova reportedly chose to carry the placard for Ukraine.
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She later shared her participation and reasons with her Instagram followers and in an interview with The Associated Press. Kucherova stated her act was in opposition to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, acknowledging the risks associated with speaking out, noting, "And I cannot guarantee that me speaking out will not harm any people I know." She also commented on the broader context, "But all of this is happening (against) a devastating background."
Anonymity and Recognition
The placard bearers were dressed identically, creating a layer of anonymity for all participants. However, sources indicate that members of the Ukrainian team, upon seeing Ms. Kucherova holding their nation's placard, recognized her Russian origins and addressed her in Russian, prior to being informed of her nationality. This suggests an observable element to her background that transcended her disguise.
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Broader Olympic Context
The Milan Cortina Winter Games involve over 4,000 athletes from 96 countries, with Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates making their Winter Olympics debut. This marks the fourth time Italy has hosted the Olympics. The event is taking place across two main locations: the San Siro stadium in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Ukrainian team includes athletes such as 18-year-old freestyle skier Diana Yablonska.
Anastasia Kucherova: Russian national, architect, resident of Italy for 14 years.
Action: Carried the Ukraine team placard at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Motivation: Protest against the war in Ukraine.
Method: Participated anonymously, dressed as one of 92 placard bearers.
Disclosure: Revealed her role and motivations after the event.
Expert Analysis
The act of an individual from one nation taking a symbolic stance with another during an international sporting event raises questions about individual agency within state-sanctioned participation. The deliberate choice of Ukraine's placard, despite the potential for recognition and subsequent repercussions, underscores a strong personal conviction. The fact that Ukrainian athletes apparently recognized her nationality before any direct communication suggests that her outward presentation, even in disguise, conveyed something identifiable to those familiar with Russian characteristics. This aspect, while anecdotal in the current reports, is a signal of how identity can be perceived even in environments designed for uniformity.
Conclusion
Anastasia Kucherova, a Russian resident of Italy, deliberately chose to carry the placard for the Ukrainian team at the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Her actions were intended as a personal protest against the war in Ukraine. She participated under a cloak of anonymity, as did all placard bearers, but later revealed her identity and motivations. The incident highlights an individual's capacity for symbolic protest within a large, formally organized international event, and prompts consideration of how identity is perceived and communicated.
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Sources Used:
The Independent: Published 3 hours ago. Provides details on Anastasia Kucherova's background as an architect, her residency in Italy, and her deliberate choice of the Ukraine placard.🔗 Link: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/anastasia-kucherova-ukraine-winter-olympics-b2921641.html
Associated Press (AP): Published 4 hours ago. Confirms Anastasia Kucherova's identity, her residence in Milan, and her statement regarding opposition to the war in Ukraine and potential risks.🔗 Link: https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-conflict-olympics-sign-bb4f60ec811545a09fc009cd6eab05c9
The New York Times / The Athletic: Published Feb 6, 2026. Provides general context about the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, including athlete participation and team presence, but does not mention Kucherova's action.🔗 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/winter-olympics-2026-milano-cortina-opening-ceremony-live-updates/b8dmQx7GIrRm/f858g7O1BSMD/
RBC Ukraine: Published Feb 7, 2026. Offers details on the overall participation numbers and participating countries at the 2026 Olympic opening ceremony, without specific mention of Kucherova.🔗 Link: https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukraine-at-the-2026-olympic-opening-ceremony-1770455681.html
