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This article investigates whether Portuguese consumers have engaged in boycotting Russian products in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, and explores the motivations behind such boycotts. Consumer boycotts have a long history as expressions of dissatisfaction with organizational tactics, government policies, or social issues. However, existing models of boycott motivation are incomplete, focussing solely on beliefs and attitudes. To address this gap, our study examines the impact of six different variables on Portuguese consumers’ intention to boycott (IB). The Ukrainian conflict serves as an ideal case study for this investigation, particularly since previous research has primarily focussed on financial market reactions rather than individual consumer perspectives. Based on a survey distributed in Portugal, we obtained 163 valid responses that were analyzed through Structural Equation Modelling. Our empirical study reveals that the primary trigger for Portuguese consumers to boycott is the desire to make a difference (DMD). Animosity (AN) towards Russia and social influence (SI) also play significant roles, while perceived effectiveness (PE), ethical idealism (EI), and counterarguments (CO) were not significant in the decision to boycott. This study enhances the understanding of consumer boycotts by providing a detailed analysis of the motivations behind Portuguese consumers’ boycotts of Russian products. Our research complements previous studies by focussing on individual consumer perspectives rather than financial market reactions, contributing to broader knowledge of consumer behaviour in response to geopolitical conflicts. These findings offer valuable insights for companies that may be affected by boycotts for navigating political tensions.