The statements of the Russian actor Artur Smolyaninov caused a negative reaction of several deputies of the State Duma at once. The subject of resentment was the words of the artist. interview Editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta. Europe” (known in the Russian Federation as a foreign media agent) to Kirill Martynov about his readiness to enter the war on the Ukrainian side.
In an interview published on January 6, Smolyaninov told the stories of his acquaintances in Ukraine who faced difficulties as a result of Russia’s military attacks on infrastructure.
“My friend writes to me, he cannot go up to the 32nd floor because there is no electricity. Or he tells me how he left Mariupol. At the moment, I realize that I feel nothing but hatred towards the people on the other side of the front. And in general, of course, if I was “on the ground – no mercy,” said the actor.
He then stated that he sees Russians and Ukrainians as brothers in terms of language, thought, geographical proximity and common culture. At the same time, Smolyaninov admitted that such a view is no longer popular in Ukraine and in the West, since after the start of the special operation it was customary to “separate” the two peoples.
Then the artist said that his friend and colleague in the 9th company, actor Soslan Fidarov, most likely died while fighting alongside Russian troops in the special operations zone (later it turned out that Fidarov was alive). “Is this a just death? No doubt. Would I have shot him? No doubt,” said Smolyaninov.
Then Martynov clarified to the artist: does he really accept the Ukrainian side as his side and exclude the possibility of fighting for Ukraine?
“Of course. Of course. Once again, emotionally this is just the way for me. The only way. If I had gone to this war, it would have been on the side of Ukraine. Of course. Absolutely. Smolyaninov is not even on the “Ukrainian side” for me, it is my on the side of my brothers who were attacked by my other brothers for the sake of it,” replied Smolyaninov.
On January 8, State Duma deputy Sultan Khamzaev told RIA Novosti that he plans to appeal to the Investigative Committee with a request to open a criminal case against Smolyaninov.
“I think this runaway artist should repeat the path. [журналиста Александра] Nevzorov with a criminal case. Such actors should immediately cancel all government orders – contracts for films. On my own behalf, I will request the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation to open a criminal case against this traitor,” Khamzaev said.
Deputy Yana Lantratova said in an interview with the agency that she would propose to the State Duma to discuss response measures against artists who spoke out against Russia.
“A person has lost contact with his country, the position of rivals is closer to him. I’m glad you went. This is a very good decision. Not for himself, but for our country,” he said.
According to Elena Drapeko, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture, Smolyaninov chose “his own path.”
“Well, you son of a bitch, what can I say. I think he will be cursed by his country, his audience, and I think his history. It seems that the person has kind of chosen his own path. Here he is, dear,” Drapeko said.
Arthur Smolyaninov began acting in films when he was a teenager. He is known to a wide audience for his role as Violent in Fyodor Bondarchuk’s 2005 film “9th Company”, which chronicled the battle of the 9th division of the 345th separate airborne regiment at height 3234 in Afghanistan in January 1988.
After the success of the picture in 2006, Smolyaninov was enrolled in the Sovremennik Theater troupe, where he played until 2022. After the start of the special operation in Ukraine, the artist repeatedly spoke publicly against the armed conflict and said that he supports the Ukrainian people.
In the fall of 2022, the actress left Russia. In an interview with Martynov, he said that he now lives in Latvia, where he goes to various auditions. Smolyaninov admitted that he was not in demand in this country before, as in Russia. and job search on “common basis” is required.