Russian celebrity power couple blast war in message to Putin’s Russia

A famous Russian singer has blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine in a message on Instagram.

Alla Pugacheva asked Russia’s Ministry of Justice to list her as a foreign agent “in solidarity” with her husband Maxim Galkin.

Galkin, a Russian comedian and television presenter, was recently included on the ministry’s list of individuals acting as “foreign agents,” according to Meduza, an independent outlet covering Russian news.

“I am asking you to please include me in the group of foreign agents of my beloved country in solidarity with my husband, an honest, decent, and sincere person, a true and incorruptible patriot of Russia,” Pugacheva wrote in a statement posted on her verified account, which has more than 3.3 million followers.

Her message said that Galkin “wishes the Motherland prosperity, peaceful life, freedom of speech.”

And in an apparent reference to the war in Ukraine, Pugacheva also called for “an end to the death of our children for illusory goals that make our country a pariah and make the life of our citizens extremely difficult.”

Galkin posted a video response on Instagram.

“The rationale for the decision is that I allegedly receive funds from Ukraine, with which I do political activities,” he said, according to Meduza.

“First of all, I don’t do political activities. On stage at my concerts, I do humor and political satire, as I have for 28 years.”

Galkin said he had received money from Ukraine “at some point” about a decade ago when he performed at a concert there.

“Of course, the reason is contrived,” he said. “Why this is happening, I don’t know. I won’t abandon humor and satire to suit the political climate.”

Galkin was among several Russian celebrities who spoke out against the war after Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

He posted a black square on his Instagram, along with the caption: “I’ve been talking to friends and relatives from Ukraine since early morning! I can’t find the words to say what I feel! How can this be possible! There can be no justification for war! No to war!”

Galkin and Pugacheva fled Russia for Israel, along with their 9-year-old twins, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported in March. Pugacheva returned to Russia in August, according to Meduza, but Galkin appears to still be out of the country.

Newsweek has contacted Pugacheva and Galkin for comment. Russia’s Ministry of Justice has also been contacted for comment.