On February 24, marking four years since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, a group of anti-war Russian citizens staged a one-person protest outside the Russian embassy in South Korea. The protest was a response to the embassy's decision to cancel a public march commemorating 'Defender of the Fatherland Day' scheduled for the same day, a significant event that historically involved celebrating military achievements. Instead, the embassy opted to hold a private event, a shift from the previous year when they organized a public demonstration in support of Russia's military efforts in Ukraine.

During the protest, individuals expressed their dissent by playing the Ukrainian national anthem through loudspeakers, while holding signs that criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and showed support for Ukraine. One protestor, Evgeny Stefan, who migrated to South Korea in 1996 and is now a journalist, articulated his views on Russia's perceived aggressive stance towards Korea by stating that Russia considers South Korea an adversary and has an interest in keeping tensions high between the two countries. This sentiment was echoed among the protestors, who were particularly incensed by the display of a large banner on the embassy's wall that read 'Victory is Ours,' which was said to exacerbate tensions in Korea-Russia relations.

Further highlighting the growing discomfort among Russian nationals in South Korea regarding the war, Alexander Koloskov, another protestor with a history of political activism in Russia, condemned Putin's use of war as a tool for maintaining his regime. He shared that many Russians do not support the ongoing conflict, suggesting a deep division in sentiment within the Russian community regarding the war. The protest reflects a broader struggle for those Russian nationals who oppose the war, illustrating the challenges they face in voicing their dissent in a foreign country while dealing with the complex geopolitical dynamics of the region.