Navalny had Ukrainian roots: his difficult relationship with Kiev. Before his death, Navalny supported Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Ukrainian chef Yevhen Klopotenko, a celebrity who has supported the war, posted a photo of two pieces of bread. Still, some Ukrainians responded to Alexei Navalny's death by posting images on social media of a sandwich being thrown in the trash in the city of Kremenets, Ukraine. The Kremlin critic also tried to avoid conflict with Kiev, who polls showed showed showed supported annexation.