Ukraine Russia Online – SME

The Russian Ministry of Justice added to the register of natural persons referred to as foreign agents as well as the husband of Russian pop star Alla Pugacheva – stand-up comedian Maxim Galkin. Galkin criticized the Russian armed invasion of Ukraine on its very first day, February 24, 2022. After leaving with his family abroad, he started giving concerts, while having part of the royalties sent to aid to Ukrainian refugees. In response to his inclusion among the “agents”, Galkin wrote on the social platform Instagram that he was included in the list based on the claim that he carries out political activities and that he is paid for them by Ukraine. However, Galkin claims that he is exclusively engaged in political satire. He added that he received money from Ukraine “once, also about ten years ago, when he had performances there”. the right to freedom of expression enshrined in the Russian constitution, the observance of which is required to be overseen by the Ministry of Justice. Galkin and Pugacheva, together with their twin children, left Russia at the beginning of March – shortly after the outbreak of war in Ukraine – and settled in Israel. Pugacheva returned to Russia at the end of August – it was speculated that because of the twins, who are in school. After returning to Moscow, she also attended the farewell ceremony for the late former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. Galkin is still abroad. According to AFP, the status of “foreign agent” resembles the term “enemy of the people” from Soviet times. It should apply to persons or groups that receive financial resources from abroad and carry out political activities of various kinds. (TASR)