Russian singer Alla Pugacheva called on Moscow to declare herself a “foreign agent” after her husband Maksim Galkin was declared a “foreign agent” for opposing the war in Ukraine. She was awarded the Order of Merit in 2014.
Famous Russian singer Alla Pugacheva joined voices from Russia against the war in Ukraine. After her husband Maksim Galkin was declared a “foreign agent” for opposing the war in Ukraine, Pugacheva urged Moscow to declare her an agent too.
Pugacheva, 73, posted on her Instagram account, which has more than 3 million followers, asking the Russian Ministry of Justice “to include her in the list of foreign agents of her beloved country”.
She stated: “I stand in solidarity with my honest partner, a true and incorruptible Russian patriot, who wishes for prosperity, peace and freedom of expression in his homeland.”
Putin awarded her the Order of Merit
Pugacheva enjoys unparalleled popularity among a wide range of Russians, with a reputation dating back to the Soviet era. A superstar since the 1970s, Pugacheva was hailed by The New York Times in 2000 as “the goddess of Russian pop, Tina Turner of Moscow and Edith Piaf, whose songs give voice to the aspirations of millions.”
Pugacheva, who continued to be an indispensable part of state television during the Putin era, was described as the “primadonna of the national stage” on the state channel, Channel 1. Putin awarded her the Order of Merit in 2014.
Russian journalist and music critic Artemy Troitsky underlined that this was Pugacheva’s, “first strong political statement ever, which of course is quite shocking to the public in Russia. I don’t think she’s the only one who can change the public’s mind.”
Pugacheva’s wife, a comedian, television presenter, and singer, has often publicly criticized Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Russian authorities use the term “foreign agent” for activists or organizations that openly condemn Kremlin policies.