Main points
- Ukrainian activists in Italy criticize the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in the Winter Olympics, calling it a signal of impunity for the aggressors.
- As part of the #SaveUkrainianChildren campaign, an action was held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo to draw attention to the war in Ukraine, including placing stickers with the image of Putin.
Ukrainian activists in Italy remind of the war / Collage of Channel 24
The 25th Winter Olympic Games have kicked off in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Despite the fact that the Olympic movement historically symbolizes peace and truce, the competitions are taking place against the backdrop of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, which has been going on for four years.
Activists are opposing the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes. The “Army of Communities of Ukraine” community reported this on Instagram.
What is known about the activities of Ukrainian activists in Italy?
This year, 13 Russian and 7 Belarusian athletes have been allowed to participate in the Games, competing as so-called “neutrals.” Activists point out that at the same time, civilians are being killed every day in Ukraine, infrastructure is being destroyed, and children are being illegally taken to Russian territory.
The decision to allow supposedly “neutral” athletes to participate was criticized by the Communities Army of Ukraine, along with Italian NGOs and Ukrainian activists in Italy. The activists emphasize that the return of representatives of aggressor states to international sports arenas is a signal of impunity.
As part of the international campaign #SaveUkrainianChildren, an information campaign was held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Hundreds of stickers with the image of Vladimir Putin and the inscription that he is wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for war crimes were placed in iconic locations of the city. In particular, the materials appeared near the La Scala theater, the Milan City Hall building, and the Russian consulate building.
Ukrainian activists held a reminder of the war in Ukraine / Army of Communities of Ukraine
Please note! The goal of the action is to draw the attention of the international community to the ongoing war and remind us of responsibility for the crime of aggression that has not yet occurred.
Ukrainians put up stickers with Putin's image: watch the video
Activists also announced the preparation of a global campaign #LightWillWinOverDarkness, which they plan to hold on five continents before the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In 2025, 700 cities in 78 countries around the world joined similar actions, and this year the organizers expect even greater international support.
How do Ukrainian athletes try to remind us of the war in Ukraine during the Olympics?
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Skeleton athlete Vladislav Geraskevych showed up for his first training session at the Winter Olympics wearing a symbolic “memory helmet” with images of 22 athletes who died in Russia's war against Ukraine. The IOC then banned the Ukrainian athlete from wearing the helmet, deeming the action political, but Geraskevych chose to ignore the committee's decision.
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The International Olympic Committee has banned the helmet from use at the 2026 Olympics, without specifying whether the ban applies only to official competitions or also to training. At the same time, Geraskevych was allowed to wear a black ribbon in memory of the fallen athletes.