Russian National Singer Who Sang 'Baegmansongi Jangmi' Makes Stern Criticism of Ukraine War

Pugachova "The Kremlin Palace's 'Illusion' Makes People's Lives Painful"
Request to Designate Russian Government as 'Foreign Agent'

President Putin and Alla Pugacheva (right) Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] As Russia's invasion of Ukraine prolongs, criticism and dissatisfaction among Russians regarding the war are spreading. Alla Pugacheva, known as the national diva in Russia, has joined the anti-war sentiment within the country and has criticized Putin.

According to BBC and other outlets on the 18th (local time), Pugacheva requested the Russian authorities to designate her as a 'foreign agent.' This appears to be an expression of sympathy and solidarity with her husband Maksim Galkin, a comedian, singer, and broadcasting activist, who has criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Specifically, Pugacheva criticized on her social media that the "illusory goal" emphasized by the Kremlin as a justification for demanding the sacrifice of Russian youth "is making Russia a forsaken country and causing suffering to our people's lives."

Galkin has previously made statements criticizing the Russian government's invasion of Ukraine. Although Pugacheva had made several remarks with anti-war nuances, she had not explicitly mentioned the invasion of Ukraine.

However, after her husband Maksim was designated as a 'foreign agent,' she began to criticize the Russian government.

The Russian law adopted in 2012 mandates that non-governmental organizations (NGOs), media outlets, and individuals engaged in political activities within Russia with foreign funding must register as 'foreign agents.'

The term 'foreign agent' is known to be used by the Russian government to disparage media, organizations, or individuals critical of government policies.

Pugacheva, widely known as the original singer of the famous song 'Million Roses,' is a musical star who has been active in Russia for decades. She began her singing career during the Soviet era in the 1960s and gained fame. Even after the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s, she remained one of Russia's most popular singers and met with President Vladimir Putin several times.

Pugacheva and her husband Galkin went to Israel in February, one month after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Later, Pugacheva returned to Russia with her children at the end of last month.

After Pugacheva's return, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized Galkin, saying, "There are artists who have smeared their own faces with very rude and unacceptable remarks."

Peskov emphasized, "He (Galkin) made very bad remarks, and we clearly cannot go along with him."

Meanwhile, Anatemi Troitsky, an anti-Putin musician who left Russia in 2014 and is active in Estonia, said, "Pugacheva has been Russia's top star and a legend for over 50 years," adding, "This statement is her first strong political remark and is quite a shock to Russians."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.