[1] On February 24, 2022, Anna and Stepan were surprised by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, during which bombings destroyed parts of Kharkiv, including residential neighborhoods, causing dozens of deaths and injuries.

[10][11] After Stepan and his family escaped to Poland, the World Influencers and Bloggers Association helped them find a safe house in France.

[4] Stepan's owner Anna told the BBC: "We've all changed mentally after seeing what sort of thing this 'Russian world' (a concept of a cultural and political space promoted by Russia) really is.

[14] In 2022 Stepan's social media pages helped raise almost 15,000 euros for food, medicine and other care for other Ukrainian animals who suffered in the war.

[4] In 2024, Anna announced that Stepan had fallen ill due to stress following a Russian attack on Kharkiv on 23 January and was receiving medications.