The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has officially charged Russian actor Ivan Okhlobystin with serious crimes under three articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, including encroaching on territorial integrity, propaganda of war, and glorifying the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. This development was reported by 24 Kanal, citing information from the SBU's Telegram channel.
The accusations stem from Okhlobystin’s participation as the headliner at a concert-rally held on Red Square in Moscow back in September 2022. The event was ostensibly dedicated to the annexation of territories temporarily occupied by Russia during its continued aggression against Ukraine. Notably, during his speech, Okhlobystin openly called for the continuation of military actions by Russia, supported the killing of Ukrainians, and promoted the Kremlin’s expansionist agenda, urging for greater influence over Ukrainian territory.
According to the SBU, Ivan Okhlobystin has become notorious not just for his performances but also for his ardent support of the Putin regime’s military actions. The actor has been repeatedly awarded by the Kremlin for his public endorsement of what many describe as war crimes against Ukraine. The SBU stated, "The evidence collected substantiates his actions as propaganda for the war against Ukraine, and he is currently hiding within the territory of the aggressor country, Russia.”
Such sentiments echo wider concerns raised by Ukrainian authorities, who have compiled lists of cultural figures deemed threats to national security. Okhlobystin has been listed among these figures, which includes others like singer Grigory Leps and actor Nikita Mikhalkov, marking them as individuals whose actions support the Kremlin’s military operations.
On March 3, 2025, the news broke about another cultural figure under scrutiny. Russian singer Grigory Leps is also facing legal action from the SBU after reportedly promising substantial sums for the destruction of Ukrainian military equipment. Reports claim he offered one million rubles for each tank destroyed, alongside providing humanitarian support to Russian troops which included bulletproof vests and rations.
The SBU noted, “The recent charges against Leps reflect the same aggressive propaganda tactics employed by Okhlobystin, highlighting how individuals from the arts and culture sectors have been weaponized to promote and glorify the military actions of the Russian Federation.”
Investigators have documented multiple instances of Okhlobystin’s calls for violent actions. Not only did he call for the killing of Ukrainians, but his remarks from the stage were noted to incite hostility and promote the Kremlin’s narrative of righteousness. According to the findings presented, his public appearances have contributed significantly to the disinformation and hatred peddled by the Kremlin’s propaganda machine.
The SBU has made clear its commitment to holding such individuals accountable as part of its broader mission to protect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. After the notable concert where Okhlobystin performed, President Zelensky imposed sanctions on various Russian artists and enterprises perceived as supportive of the conflict. This included measures enacted by the National Security and Defense Council against individuals affiliated with Russian propaganda efforts.
Further compounding the issues for Okhlobystin and others like him, the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture added him to its blacklist back in April 2023, which aims to curb the influence of propagandists who endorse messages detrimental to Ukraine’s national security. Other personalities on this list include renowned figures such as Oleg Gazmanov and Sergei Bezrukov, all recognized as proponents of the Kremlin's agenda.
Empirical evidence supports claims of Okhlobystin’s incitement to violence, with linguistic analysis confirming the harmful nature of his rhetoric. Recent critiques of his speeches detail how their contents contribute to the level of vitriol and aggression employed against Ukraine, shaping public perception through glorified narratives surrounding the war.
The legal repercussions facing Okhlobystin could lead to severe penalties should he return to Ukraine, as the SBU works diligently to enforce accountability against those bolstering Russia’s unjust military actions with inflammatory propaganda. The situation places both Okhlobystin and Leps at the forefront of international scrutiny, signifying the Ukrainian government’s resolve to address the cultural ramifications of the war.
This sequence of events clearly marks yet another chapter in the continuing saga of conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with cultural figures finding themselves caught between the realms of art and aggression. Highlighting the influence of individuals like Okhlobystin and Leps reflects not only Pakistan's immediate challenges but also the broader cultural warfare being waged across the region, as Ukraine fervently seeks to safeguard its identity against external pressures.
With the SBU actively pursuing charges and the international community increasingly aware of the actions of those glorifying acts of war, the situation remains fluid. Observers are left wondering how the outcomes of these legal proceedings will reshape the narrative surrounding culture and conflict within these nations.
Both cases serve as stark reminders of the intersections between propaganda, cultural influence, and international law, aligned under the changing tides of geopolitical conflict. It begs the question: To what extent can governments hold individuals accountable for their public statements when such declarations have sweeping repercussions?