Svetlana Aplachkina, a Russian athlete specializing in track and field, has sparked controversy with her social media activity expressing support for Russia's attack on Ukraine. Aplachkina's endorsement of posts by the CSKA team, featuring the caption "Good triumphs over evil" with the Russian military portrayed as good and the Ukrainian military as evil, has drawn significant attention and criticism.

Her engagement with content featuring the letter Z, symbolizing Russia's attack on Ukraine, has further intensified the debate surrounding the role of athletes in political matters in Russia. Many argue that athletes should refrain from promoting divisive narratives that can harm international relations.

The incident highlights the complexities surrounding the intersection of sports, nationalism, and politics in Russia.