Two Russian people’s artists declared wanted in Ukraine PHOTO

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has declared Russian singers Oleg Gazmanov and Nikolai Baskov wanted, citing charges related to the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

According to the SBU data, Oleg Gazmanov faces charges of encroaching on Ukraine’s territorial integrity. A preventive detention measure in absentia has been imposed on the People’s Artist of Russia, who has been listed in the “Myrotvorets” database, Ukrainian online watchlist focused on tracking individuals deemed hostile to the country’s territorial integrity, since 2015, Caliber.Az reports per TASS.

Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Gazmanov has performed for Russian combatants and contributed guitars as part of the “Cart of Kindness” campaign. He has also publicly stated that he donates funds to support participants in the war. 

Similarly, Nikolai Baskov was declared wanted by the SBU, with the charges dating back to March 2022. He is accused under Part 2, Article 110 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine of violating the country’s territorial integrity and inviolability. Baskov has been an active supporter of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine since February 2022.

Nikolai Baskov held the title of People’s Artist of Ukraine since 2004, but this honour was revoked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2024 following his public stance on the war.

By Sabina Mammadli