The singer known as Leva from the Russian rock duo Bi-2, whose real name is Egor Bortnik and who has been designated a foreign agent in Russia, is currently at Bangkok’s international airport. He is waiting for a flight bound for Tel Aviv, Israel. This situation is being reported by a Telegram channel associated with the band, which has become a key source in the unfolding events.
Accounts from the same source indicate that the other members of Bi-2 remain detained in immigration holding facilities. Thai border and immigration authorities reportedly blocked the artists from boarding the previously arranged flight, citing regulatory or documentation issues that prevent travel at this time. The assertion from the channel is clear: Leva Bi-2 is indeed waiting for a plane to Israel at the airport, while his colleagues are not yet cleared to depart.
On January 25, Thai authorities detained members of Bi-2 as part of an effort to enforce local immigration rules. The authorities reportedly proposed a concert engagement in Pattaya and the Phuket region as part of the band’s itinerary, but investigators determined that the artists did not hold valid work permits for those activities. This finding set in motion a series of administrative and legal considerations that would shape the next steps for the group.
Following these developments, Phuket’s provincial district court issued fines to the musicians, amounting to several hundred dollars in penalties. In parallel, the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Phuket announced that the situation could lead to deportation for the artists, highlighting the seriousness of the travel and work-permit violations in Thai law and the potential consequences for their career plans.
Representatives from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs later indicated an interest in assisting Bi-2 and its participants. There were discussions about deporting the artists to Israel rather than sending them back to Russia, with the aim of resolving the matter in a manner that would allow the musicians to continue their careers abroad. However, following a visit by Russian consular officials, Thai law enforcement chose not to pursue that course, leaving the situation in limbo and delaying any possible relocation.
Subsequent reporting suggested a shift in the narrative. On January 30, Izvestia published material noting that the group’s vocalist had been observed among travelers waiting to board a flight to Tel Aviv. The report stressed that Leva stood ready to leave Bangkok for Israel, underscoring a potential turning point in the case and the possibility of a change in the travel plan that might eventually permit the band to continue its activities outside Russia.
Earlier political chatter around the Bi-2 members had included threats of imprisonment presented within the Russian State Duma. Those discussions reflected the broader friction between the band members and state authorities, echoing across media outlets and public discourse. The evolving situation illustrated how a mix of immigration policy, work-permit rules, and international diplomacy can influence the movements of artists who operate on the fringes of political sensitivity and public attention.