Mystery figure who held Ukraine placard at Olympics opening ceremony was Russian
The mystery woman seen carrying the Ukraine team placard during the Winter Olympics opening ceremony has been revealed to be Russian.
On February 6, the 2026 Winter Olympic Games officially started following the opening ceremony held primarily in the iconic San Siro in Milan, but also across Livigno, Predazzo, and the streets of Cortina, Italy.
During the the ceremony, around 2,900 Winter Olympic athletes marched across the various venues taking part, including the 53 representing Team GB at the Olympics.
Following the ceremony there were various discussions around several notable moments, including speculation regarding the identity of an anonymous woman who led the Ukrainian athletes out
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But now, the woman herself has spoken out to explain her reasons for taking part after it was revealed that she is a Russian living in Milan.
As she marched out into San Siro with Ukraine's Winter Olympic athletes, Anastasia Kucherova ensured she was completely unrecognisable, wearing a silver hooded puffer coat and big dark glasses.
However, she has now decided to come forward to reveal her identity and explain exactly why she decided to volunteer to lead the five Ukrainian athletes competing in Italy.
The Russian architect, who has been living in Milan for 14 years, announced her identity to her Instagram followers before telling the Associated Press that she hoped that the small act of resistance showed her support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with her home country.
“When you walk by the side of these people you realise they have every human right to feel hatred towards any Russian,’’ she told the AP.
“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.”
Kucherova explained that initially she was set to be randomly assigned to carry the placard for a country, but later was offered the chance to volunteer or give a preference, and she chose Ukraine.
She added that the athletes recognised her origins and spoke with her in Russian, something she believes is a sign of “some profound connection, that obviously could live on if not for the war”.
“Ukrainians don’t have any possibility to avoid these thoughts or to ignore the existence of war. So it is their reality,” added Kucherova.
“They keep loving each other, getting married or doing sports, coming to the Olympics. But all of this is happening [against] a devastating background.”
Ben McCrum