After the launch of the special military operation in Russia in 2022, some Russian artists condemned this action. Even more extreme, some began to publicly criticize the Russian government and made some offensive statements about Russia. Many people simply packed up their belongings and left Russia as a form of protest.
Russian media report that these "runaways" from Russia believed the West would welcome them with open arms, but they have been disappointed. Developing a career abroad is much more difficult than they thought, and their savings are being quickly depleted. More and more Russian artists are expressing their desire to return to their country. They say they miss their homeland and also miss their audiences.
"Rebels" want to go home. Should Russian citizens express understanding and forgive them?
Some Russian people seem to have forgiven them. Some exiled Russian artists have returned to their country and resumed their careers, becoming active in the world of drama and film. However, there are still many voices in Russia that oppose them. Alexander (a pseudonym), who works in the Russian publishing industry, told Zawbyteria that what drives them to return to their country is a simple, animalistic desire—to eat well and live well.
He said that living in a capitalist society, as long as Russian artists return to their country and can earn more money from those who are high up in the entertainment industry, those people will try every means to defend them.
According to a report by Russian free media websites on July 14th, some Russian artists have returned to Russia. These individuals did not damage their reputations by expressing opinions on hot topics. For example, actress Ksenia Rappaport and Danila Kozlovsky from the Little Theater of St. Petersburg have returned to the stage and also appeared in films.
Additionally, producer Konstantin Melaz is said to be in discussions regarding returning to his home country. Melaz left Russia immediately after the start of the special military operation in 2022 and has rarely made public appearances since then. According to a report by Russian news agency Novaya Gazeta in early July, music producer Sergei Dvozov stated that Melaz may have obtained Georgian citizenship in order to secure more orders and contracts abroad and increase his income.
Lapaport Onewest News
According to the newspaper “Kommunistitcheskaia Pravda”, it is not entirely accurate to say that Lapaportte left Russia immediately after the start of the special military operation. For many years, Lapaportte traveled back and forth between Italy and Russia. It was only after she publicly condemned the Russian government that her actions attracted attention. At that time, Lapaportte even stated that she no longer wanted to be an actress, and expressed confusion about how she could still appear on stage under such circumstances. After making these statements, when she attended the Venice Film Festival, she wore black clothing as a sign of mourning. Rapid reactions followed: performances featuring Lapaportte were largely canceled across Russia.
Kozlovsky is the stage partner of Lapaport. In 2022, after he spoke out against special military operations, the public began to boycott him. At the same time, Kozlovsky went to the United States and then toured Europe. He participated in a charity event with Lapaport and Russian theater and film actress Tsypan Khmatova, and expressed admiration for Russian singer Ala Pugachev. As a result, he once again faced fierce criticism.
Kozlovsky later responded to all the accusations, stating that he loved Russia and had no intention of leaving; his daughter Oda Valentina lives in the United States, so he tried to make time to be with her.
Russian social activist Vitali Borokhin made a series of accusations against Kozlovsky, essentially claiming him of treason. The court sided with Kozlovsky, demanding that Borokhin withdraw all his accusations.
Kozlovsky, Russian News Agency
Hamatoeva previously said she wanted to leave forever and even cursed her own country. However, according to free media websites, she suddenly issued a statement saying, "I forbid myself from thinking about this (returning to Moscow), because it causes me great pain. I am starting to reflect. If that happens, and if things develop in that way, that would be very good..."
Pugachova and her husband Galjin left Russia in 2022. In September of the same year, after Galjin was identified by the Russian Ministry of Justice as a “foreign agent,” Pugachova requested to be listed as a “foreign agent” as well. According to Komsomolskaya Pravda, after leaving Russia in 2022, Pugachova and her husband obtained Israeli citizenship and settled in a suburb of Tel Aviv. After the outbreak of a new round of Palestinian-Lebanese conflicts in 2023, the two went to Cyprus.
In 2024, Pugachova posted a photo on social media showing the Ochmatit National Children’s Hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, being attacked by a missile. In the photo, a woman is holding a child covered in blood. She captioned the photo with the words: “God is patient, but everything has its limits.”
Regarding this, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova said that Pugachev cannot see the suffering of her own country's children. Those who have left Russia should no longer worry about Russia, since they have joined their 'new homeland'.
According to Tass, despite activists repeatedly calling Pugachyova a 'foreign agent', the Russian Ministry of Justice believes there is no reason to do so.
Last year, the Moscow Communist Youth Daily reported that several sources said Pugachev might be returning to Russia. There are also rumors that her husband, Gargin, may no longer be considered a “foreign agent”.
Russian music critic Gur Ken told the Russian media website Ura.Ru that Pugachova's new song is filled with nostalgia. "She wants to return and be with her people."
According to reports from free media websites, Dmitri Pavlov, Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma Cultural Committee, actor and film star, and People's Artist, believes that Russian artists can return to Russia, but only those who have not committed any crimes through their words or actions are allowed to do so. They should also be prepared to apologize. "I believe that they should apologize with the same intensity with which they criticized this country before."
Russian Federation Communist Party’s sixth-term Deputy Speaker of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Tsejovkin, said: "In the current geopolitical context, the issue of Russian artists returning to their country is much more profound and serious than it seems on the surface. This relates to the entire country's cultural policy."
Tsejiokin pointed out that, considering the mental and political state of Russian society in the face of Western aggression, 'the role played by culture is crucial, even if it is not decisive.' 'We see that performers who cater to Western standards still dominate major Russian television channels, especially those in English. Most of their programs are broadcast in English.'
"A whole generation of Russians have been profoundly influenced by Western popular culture. If only one generation was affected, that would be manageable, however, what is worrying is that on the stage of music, film, and theater, with a large number of Russian identity rejecting traditions, there are more supporters." said Yevgeny Kolesnikov, "They believe that they belong largely to the West. It’s where their spiritual and cultural homeland lies, not Russia.”
Jekiokhin said that the problem is that those who dominate Russian cultural policy are doing everything they can to maintain their dependence on the West and encourage those who promote this dependence. "Now, we are also being advised to accept those who exacerbate this trend of betrayal."
But he then said, “Let them return. After all, they are Russian citizens. But from the perspective of actively participating in the formulation of Russian cultural policies, if it were me, I would carefully consider and observe these returnees before making a decision.”
He emphasized that “the state should encourage those who are guided by Russian national culture and traditions.”
Additionally, Tsei Yiu Kin believes that audience preferences can be shaped. "The practice of Western media is a way of shaping public opinion. When people are forced to watch the same performer every day, they unconsciously believe that the latter is unique, ideal, and the best. If we are on the verge of a fierce conflict with the West, at least we should block the influence of those who promote Western values in our country. The state must intervene."
The Merited Artist of the Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic and member of the Russian State Duma, Elena Drapenko, pointed out that the treatment of those literary and artistic workers who have left Russia due to special military operations and now wish to return to their country should be determined strictly based on individual circumstances. 'If they remain silent and do not slander Russia, they will not be imprisoned. If they engage in attacks, then they will be punished. This should be decided by the law enforcement authorities.'
"Of course, those who remained silent are back. We will observe their behavior. It is imperative to understand the current political climate... how the returnees behave, we will then respond accordingly." Drapeko said.
Simultaneously, Drapek pointed out that more people should be loyal to their professions and their motherland, "We need to change the mentality of our people, including those who are accustomed to working abroad as 'universalists,' who believe they are world citizens, and forget they are Russian citizens."
Whether or not a returnee can perform on stage after returning home should be decided by organizers of cultural events, and audience reception is also crucial. "The society will decide whether to accept them."
According to Russian media such as life.ru, over time, Lapaポート's remarks were gradually forgotten, and she returned to the Russian cultural scene. It is reported that she will star in a war movie and play the lead role. She also appears on stage. According to the website of the Saint Petersburg Little Theatre, her current plays include "Hamlet" and "The Three Sisters". Kozlovsky has now fully restarted his career in Russia. He is active in the theater and film industries, with sold-out performances and significant income. In March this year, Pugachev shared a photo with friends on social media. Many people praised her elegant demeanor in the comments section. However, many also felt sorry for her, saying that she lost her country in her later years and was drifting in a foreign land.
But not all Russian people can accept these 'rebellious outsiders' from Russia.
Russian famous singer Viktoria Tsingarova believes that having artists who condemn special military actions return home is tantamount to betrayal.
She wrote on social media: "Spies are not just those who blow up bridges and burn airplanes. There is another more dangerous form of destruction—mental destruction. They want to bring back people like Pugachev and Kozlovsky, to corrode this country from within."
Alexander told Observer.com that those Russian artists obviously overestimated their importance and status in the art world. There is no one who needs them abroad, and their income from Russia is also gone. “They obviously want to return to that comfortable life they had before fleeing their country and issuing hostile statements.”
He said bluntly that what drives them to return home is not a sense of conscience, nor regret for their mistakes, but a simple, animalistic desire—to eat well and live well.
Regarding whether he agrees with these people continuing their entertainment careers after returning to Russia, Alexander said, "We live in a capitalist society. For capitalists, as long as the profits are substantial, they have no limit to the crimes they may commit. Betraying the people and the country is one of the most serious crimes. But even if some entertainers commit such crimes, those in power in the entertainment industry will try every means to justify them, so that these entertainers can make more money once they return to Russia."
He speculated that: “The people will be told that someone simply didn’t understand, became scared, and said some stupid things without thinking. But after all, he is our fellow citizen; we should forgive him and forget his mistakes.”
"The Russian people are kind, compassionate, and tolerant. We will forgive traitors again. It's a pity."
Ivan (pen name) works in technical positions at a Russian airport. When talking with Observer Network, he addressed those artists who refused to support or even leave Russia during times of national crisis: "Thank you for getting us out of your country! Don’t come back, because you are no longer our idols, and Russia is no longer your country! You have nothing in common with us. Time will bring us new idols and heroes. We will build our new world together, and there will be no place for you in that world."
Pugachev, Russian News Agency
Previously, when news spread that Pugachova might return to Russia, there were already voices of opposition within Russia.
Russian writer Zakhar Prilepin told RNS that if Pugachova returns to Russia, probably no one will pay attention, because people who leave during times of national crisis are not worthy of attention. "If Pugachova comes back, probably no one will pay attention. 'Foreign agents' can also come; they are not prohibited from doing so. As long as they comply with certain conditions when spreading their cultural works. In general, any of them (referring to those who left after the special military operation began) could come back tomorrow, and they will all come back."
Many Russian netizens have a clear attitude: “Every normal Russian citizen has the duty to kick Pugachova hard.” “They say that somewhere, people have forgiven Pugachova. But have those soldiers, those on the front lines forgiven her? Has anyone asked them?” “We cannot tolerate traitors.”
Russian war correspondent Yuri Kotnikov said that the topic of Pugachova returning to her country has been widely discussed on social media. It is said that the Kremlin has no objections to her return, but Pugachova has requested to have Galchin's status as a 'foreign agent' revoked. 'People hope that this is just a story, fake news, but unfortunately, it might be true. Her request may indeed be fulfilled.'
Kotnoke emphasized: “Russia today is not the same country that those celebrities fled from. Ordinary people will never forgive those who choose to stand against them. Whether one is a ‘foreign agent’ or not doesn’t matter at all.”
