Pop icon Pugacheva responds to husband being labeled foreign agent, wants 'an end to the killing of our children for illusory goals that make our country a pariah'
Pop star Alla Pugacheva, one of the most famous and beloved people in Russia, posted an "Appeal to the Ministry of Justice," on social media, in which she asked to be included "in the ranks of foreign agents of her beloved country."
I am asking you to please include me in the ranks of foreign agents of my beloved country, for I stand in solidarity with my husband, an honest, decent and sincere man, a true and incorruptible patriot of Russia, who wishes his country prosperity, a peaceful life, freedom of speech, and an end to the killing of our children for illusory goals that make our country a pariah, and weigh heavily on the lives of its citizens.
Agenstvo reported that many Russian media outlets failed to mention her words on the war in Ukraine, even though she didn't use "war" or "special military operation" in the post.
TASS, RIA Novosti, RT, TVC, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Izvestia, Ren-TV, and Govorit Moskva only quoted the first part of Pugacheva's post - that she asked to be included "in the ranks of foreign agents of her beloved country." Some of them also included that she did so "in solidarity with her husband."
NTV, Rosbalt, Gazeta.ru, Lenta.ru, and Fontanka also cited Pugacheva in one form or another. saying that Maxim Galkin is an honest, decent, and sincere man, a patriot who wishes the country prosperity, but none cited her words about dying for "illusory goals."
Agenstvo noted that this was the second time in a row that the pro-Kremlin media have "censored Pugacheva by reporting on her posts." In early September, they failed to quote her words criticizing contemporary politicians from a post about Mikhail Gorbachev's funeral.
On September 16, the Ministry of Justice declared Maksim Galkin, who has criticized the Russian authorities for invading Ukraine, a foreign agent. According to the Ministry of Justice, the artist is engaged in political activities and receives assistance from a foreign source - Ukraine.
Alla Pugacheva, unlike Galkin, earlier refrained from making public statements about the war when Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. After the war began, it was reported that the couple left Russia. In August it became known that Pugacheva returned to Russia. Maxim Galkin remains abroad, performing concerts.