Russian President Vladimir Putin began a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, beginning with explosions in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, and other major cities. According to Reuters statistics, the invasion has caused considerable damage in Ukraine, with at least 15 thousand people killed, including civilians, and over 3 million people displaced. The economic consequences are also negative, not only for Russia and Ukraine but also for the worldwide economy, given Russia's clout as a global gas supplier.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has received a significant amount of criticism from the rest of the world. The Group of Seven industrialized nations announced economic and financial sanctions against Moscow, such as banning trade with Russian banks and export controls on high-tech products. Actions against the Russian invasion weren’t only shown in political and economic aspects but expanded its effect on culture as well. 

The Cultural Boycott of Russia started as important cultural figures and corporations began to show their support for the Ukrainians by closing ongoing exhibitions in Russia or refusing to collaborate with Russian artists. Oleg Sentsov, a prominent filmmaker from Ukraine strongly argued for the boycott of Russian movies by signing the Ukrainian Film Academy’s online petition. Nariman Aliev, the director of the film “Homeward” stated, “Russian soldiers and bombs are no different from their propaganda weapons, which may not kill people directly, but justify these atrocities or divert attention and shift the focus from the main thing. …the boycott of Russian cinema and culture is an attempt to cleanse the world of the propaganda of a terrorist state.” Ragnar Kjartansson, an Icelandic artist who held ‘Santa Barbara- A Living Sculpture’ in Moscow announced that he was ending his performance art installation as continuing the performance would be turning “a blind eye to the tragic events we have all become witness to.” 

However, some artists claim that the cultural boycott of Russia is targeting the wrong people. Opponents against the boycott movement argue that the boycott is targeting individual Russians rather than the political stance of Russia itself, having no effect in actually showing solidarity for Ukrainians in war. Many states that the movement is oppressing Russian artists who do not express strong political opinions on the topic, and even those who criticize the government for the invasion via their art. 

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