Artists in Custody

In February 2022, many Russian cultural figures publicly condemned the invasion of Ukraine. Actors, musicians, comedians, and artists signed an open letter about breaking international cultural ties. Many openly published the slogan "No to war!" on social networks.

Subsequently, representatives of the creative intelligentsia who spoke out against the war began to face direct and indirect pressure from security forces and citizens loyal to the authorities.

Thus, performers, including the group "Time Machine", Valery Meladze, and the rapper Noize MC, had their concerts canceled. A wreath with the inscription "To the Traitor of Russia" was brought to a Volgda performance by comedian Denis Chuzhoy. Telegram channels, with the support of the FSB, published sensitive information about disloyal theater figures.

Pressure had been being applied to cultural representatives even before the invasion. Six months prior, in the summer of 2021, the AloeVera group had several of its shows canceled, and in the fall of 2018, according to The Bell, young performers like IC3PEAK, Face, and Eldzhey had 40 shows canceled.

In 2023, some actors and musicians who had previously condemned the war made a deal with Russian authorities. According to Meduza and Vazhnie Istory, after meeting with representatives of the presidential administration, these cultural figures began performing in the occupied territories in exchange for the opportunity to continue working in Russia.

Other musicians who left the country for security reasons continue to work in exile, including Monetochka, Noize MC, AIGEL, Yuri Shevchuk, Boris Grebenshchikov, and others.

Unfortunately, even in exile, artists face the consequences of persecution. In particular, after receiving the status of "foreign agent", the leader of "Nogu Svelo," Maxim Pokrovsky, experienced financial losses, and comedian Tatyana Lazareva spoke about people refusing to work with her.

Criminal Cases

In addition to extra-systemic pressure, cultural figures face direct criminal prosecution, including because of their professional activities. And this is not always directly related to the war.

One of the most famous such cases is the prosecution of director Evgenia Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk, under the article on justification of terrorism (Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code).

What do you need to know about the case of Berkovich and Petriychuk?

In July 2024, the 2nd Western District Military Court in Moscow sentenced Berkovich and Petriychuk to six years in a general regime penal colony. In February 2025, it became known that Evgenia and Svetlana were transferred to the penal colonies.

In addition to Berkovich and Petriychuk, 39 other cultural figures are in prison. Most of them are already in prison colonies, 18 people are awaiting sentencing.

OVD-Info collected all available information about cultural figures who are facing political persecution before and after the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

• 22 are in prison colonies
• 12 are in detention awaiting trial or sentencing
• 3 are under house arrest
• 4 are being transferred to prison or on their way to that

Translated from OVD-Info