Yaroslava Bartashevich, a Russian tennis player representing France since 2022, has sparked controversy due to her social media activity supporting Russia's attack on Ukraine. Bartashevich's endorsement of posts, including one by propagandist Margarita Simonyan, expressing pride in being Russian during the war, has drawn attention and criticism from various quarters.

Her public display of support for the military aggression has raised questions about the appropriate role of athletes in political matters. Some argue that athletes should have a responsibility to promote peace and unity.

The incident also underscores the ongoing debate about the intersection of sports and politics in Russia and the ethical responsibilities of athletes in the global arena.