Soviet-Russian pop music icon Alla Pugacheva has spoken out against the war in Ukraine in a move likely to infuriate the Kremlin and possibly mark a turning point in public opinion about the country’s “special military operation.”
Pugacheva posted her comments Sunday on her Instagram account, which has 3.5 million followers. Her post has already received nearly 800K likes and 110K comments. It comes at a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing growing criticism from both supporters and opponents of the war after a Ukrainian offensive routed Russian forces in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Pugacheva is the highest-profile celebrity to come out against the seven-month war in Ukraine.
Since launching her career in the mid-1960s, Pugacheva has sold more than 250 million records. In 1991, she was awarded the title of “People’s Artist of the USSR”—the highest honor possible for a musician. She also received top honors from the Russian Federation. Politico wrote that Pugacheva ”is as beloved as America’s sweetheart Dolly Parton, as ubiquitous as Madonna, as closely watched as a Kardashian.”
On Friday, Russia’s Ministry of Justice added Pugacheva’s husband, Maxim Galkin, a comedian, singer, and TV presenter, to its register of “foreign agents.” Galkin, who was born in Odesa, was accused of conducting political activities on behalf of Ukraine and receiving Ukrainian funding. He denied the allegations.
That spurred Pugacheva to ask the Ministry of Justice in her Instagram post on Sunday to add her name to the list of foreign agents:
The official RIA Novosti news agency, citing an unnamed law enforcement source, reported Tuesday that the Ministry of Internal Affairs had received a request to investigate Pugacheva for discrediting the Russian army. The source said that a Russian woman had filed a complaint against Pugacheva at a Moscow police station, but did not specify whether police had opened an investigation.
Those labeled as “foreign agents” must place that designation on all content they publish, including social media posts. They are also subject to additional government scrutiny, particularly regarding their finances. Any violation of the arduous regulations can result in criminal charges.
The law was first introduced in response to protests against Putin’s return to the presidency in the 2012 elections. The designation is used to target individuals and organizations opposed to Kremlin policies.
After Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, authorities introduced even harsher measures to suppress dissent, handing out fines and prison sentences. In early March, Putin signed legislation allowing prison sentences of up to 15 years for posting allegedly false information about the military.
Galkin has been an outspoken critic of the war, condemning atrocities committed by Russian troops and stating that there was no justification for invading Ukraine. CNN reported that in an Instagram post on Saturday, Galkin reacted to his designation as a foreign agent:
Galkin and Pugacheva left Russia for Israel in March with their twins. Pugacheva has retired from performing, but Galkin continues to tour abroad with his stand-up show, which includes his impression of Putin.
Pugacheva returned to Russia last month to enroll her children in school, while Galkin remained abroad. She took part in a farewell ceremony for the late Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and in an Instagram post said she hadn’t “cried like this in a long time.” Her post was an implicit criticism of Putinism.
“The EPOCH in which we gained freedom, ceased to be the ‘Empire of Evil’ for the whole World, and the fear for the future of our children has disappeared,” Pugacheva wrote, adding that Gorbachev “rejected violence as a way of politics and keeping his own power.”
Pugacheva’s comments criticizing the war in Ukraine are a clear snub to the Kremlin leadership. She has been fêted by Putin several times, but has never publicly supported him.
So now the question is whether her comments will have any impact on public opinion in Russia regarding the war. Artemy Troitsky, a leading figure in Russian music who left the country in 2014 because of his opposition to Putin, told the BBC that her intervention was significant.
On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked about Pugacheva’s comments. He told reporters: “I’m not going to comment on that topic at all. I don’t think it’s an issue that has anything to do with the Kremlin.”
But such criticism of the war in Ukraine from one of the most famous people in Russia has set off intense reactions on social media—and could be a watershed moment if her voice breaks through the propaganda wall.
Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian-language news website also designated a foreign agent, published a roundup of reactions to Pugacheva’s Instagram post.
Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy chairman of the State Duma, said:
Lev Shlosberg, an opposition politician, said:
Vladimir Solovyov, a Russian state TV host, said:
Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said:
Here is Pugacheva performing one of her biggest hits, “Millions of Scarlet Roses.”
YouTube Video
Pugacheva posted her comments Sunday on her Instagram account, which has 3.5 million followers. Her post has already received nearly 800K likes and 110K comments. It comes at a time when Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing growing criticism from both supporters and opponents of the war after a Ukrainian offensive routed Russian forces in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Pugacheva is the highest-profile celebrity to come out against the seven-month war in Ukraine.
Since launching her career in the mid-1960s, Pugacheva has sold more than 250 million records. In 1991, she was awarded the title of “People’s Artist of the USSR”—the highest honor possible for a musician. She also received top honors from the Russian Federation. Politico wrote that Pugacheva ”is as beloved as America’s sweetheart Dolly Parton, as ubiquitous as Madonna, as closely watched as a Kardashian.”
On Friday, Russia’s Ministry of Justice added Pugacheva’s husband, Maxim Galkin, a comedian, singer, and TV presenter, to its register of “foreign agents.” Galkin, who was born in Odesa, was accused of conducting political activities on behalf of Ukraine and receiving Ukrainian funding. He denied the allegations.
That spurred Pugacheva to ask the Ministry of Justice in her Instagram post on Sunday to add her name to the list of foreign agents:
The official RIA Novosti news agency, citing an unnamed law enforcement source, reported Tuesday that the Ministry of Internal Affairs had received a request to investigate Pugacheva for discrediting the Russian army. The source said that a Russian woman had filed a complaint against Pugacheva at a Moscow police station, but did not specify whether police had opened an investigation.
Those labeled as “foreign agents” must place that designation on all content they publish, including social media posts. They are also subject to additional government scrutiny, particularly regarding their finances. Any violation of the arduous regulations can result in criminal charges.
The law was first introduced in response to protests against Putin’s return to the presidency in the 2012 elections. The designation is used to target individuals and organizations opposed to Kremlin policies.
After Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, authorities introduced even harsher measures to suppress dissent, handing out fines and prison sentences. In early March, Putin signed legislation allowing prison sentences of up to 15 years for posting allegedly false information about the military.
Galkin has been an outspoken critic of the war, condemning atrocities committed by Russian troops and stating that there was no justification for invading Ukraine. CNN reported that in an Instagram post on Saturday, Galkin reacted to his designation as a foreign agent:
Galkin and Pugacheva left Russia for Israel in March with their twins. Pugacheva has retired from performing, but Galkin continues to tour abroad with his stand-up show, which includes his impression of Putin.
Pugacheva returned to Russia last month to enroll her children in school, while Galkin remained abroad. She took part in a farewell ceremony for the late Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and in an Instagram post said she hadn’t “cried like this in a long time.” Her post was an implicit criticism of Putinism.
“The EPOCH in which we gained freedom, ceased to be the ‘Empire of Evil’ for the whole World, and the fear for the future of our children has disappeared,” Pugacheva wrote, adding that Gorbachev “rejected violence as a way of politics and keeping his own power.”
Pugacheva’s comments criticizing the war in Ukraine are a clear snub to the Kremlin leadership. She has been fêted by Putin several times, but has never publicly supported him.
So now the question is whether her comments will have any impact on public opinion in Russia regarding the war. Artemy Troitsky, a leading figure in Russian music who left the country in 2014 because of his opposition to Putin, told the BBC that her intervention was significant.
On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked about Pugacheva’s comments. He told reporters: “I’m not going to comment on that topic at all. I don’t think it’s an issue that has anything to do with the Kremlin.”
But such criticism of the war in Ukraine from one of the most famous people in Russia has set off intense reactions on social media—and could be a watershed moment if her voice breaks through the propaganda wall.
Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian-language news website also designated a foreign agent, published a roundup of reactions to Pugacheva’s Instagram post.
Pyotr Tolstoy, deputy chairman of the State Duma, said:
Lev Shlosberg, an opposition politician, said:
Vladimir Solovyov, a Russian state TV host, said:
Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said:
Here is Pugacheva performing one of her biggest hits, “Millions of Scarlet Roses.”
YouTube Video