On August 23, 2025, which coincided with Ukraine's Flag Day, a group of pro-Ukrainian activists painted a massive Ukrainian flag on the roadway in front of the Russian Embassy in Warsaw. This demonstration, meant to show solidarity with Ukraine, involved a significant number of participants who took precautions to ensure the safety of motorists and used a non-toxic paint for the initiative. However, the event drew immediate attention from the authorities, with police quickly intervening at the request of the Russian Embassy.

The police not only halted the painting efforts but also recorded the identities of several participants, leading to the potential prosecution of 16 individuals involved in the protest. The police argued that the activists violated regulations, although the specifics of these regulations were not detailed. Concurrently, the Russian services called upon municipal cleanup crews to remove the painted colors from the road, indicating the lengths to which the embassy was willing to go to erase the pro-Ukraine symbolism displayed in front of its premises.

This situation has sparked debates in Poland regarding freedom of expression and the role of local authorities in handling politically charged demonstrations. As tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue, the involvement of local activists in pro-Ukrainian demonstrations reflects ongoing solidarity and raises questions about the limits of acceptable protest methods in a politically sensitive context, especially one that involves diplomatic representations and international relations.