Russian celebrities stand risk of being BANNED for slamming Putin's attack on Ukraine
Even as Russian President Vladimir Putin has been facing global criticism over the country's invasion of Ukraine, some prominent figures of his home country have slammed the attack too. Celebrities and businesspeople took to their social media accounts and maligned their President on the morning of the attack, Thursday, February 24.
These attacks by land and air - called a 'full scale invasion' by Ukraine - started in the early hours of the day. As Russian celebrities gained awareness, they expressed their shock and disgust to audiences on social media.
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Russian pop star Valery Meladze spoke about the attack in an Instagram video. He said, "Today something happened that could and should never have happened. History will judge everything one day. Now I want to beg you to stop military action and sit down to negotiate."
A television host and comedian Ivan Urgant said, "Fear and pain. NO to war" as a caption on a black square he shared on his Instagram. Another Russian TV presenter Ksenia Sobchak wrote on the same social media platform, "We are now all trapped in this situation. There is no exit. We Russians will spend many years digging out from the consequences of this day."
It is a known fact that a major part of the Russian entertainment industry is largely owned by the state. Although none of these prominent figures have directly pointed fingers at President Putin, they stand the risk of being banned owing to the rather clear expression on their social media accounts.
On the other hand, other celebrities have quit their jobs in an attempt to show disagreement and protest. The director of the state-owned Meyerhold Theatre Center Yelena Kovalskaya announced on her Facebook page that she is resigning, effective immediately. Kovalskaya said, "Friends, in protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, I'm leaving my post as director of the state theater - the National Theater of the National Center. It is impossible to work for a murderer and get a salary from him. I'll bring things to the end - which have been started, at public beginnings."
However, police authorities are not too far behind. When Russian activist Marina Litvinovich posted a video on her Instagram calling fellow Russians to join her in a protest, she was detained by the police outside her apartment Thursday evening.
Journalists and media outlets in Russia are showing unity as they were quick to express their disgust over Russia's invasion in Ukraine. A reporter from the daily newspaper Kommersant, Elena Chernenko assembled an anti-war petition which is signed by over 100 journalists from various outlets.