The 69-year-old musician and founder of the Aquarium group, Boris Grebenshchikov, who has been labeled a foreign agent by the Russian government, explained to a major financial publication that he does not expect to return to Russia from England. He has lived abroad for about eighteen months and acknowledged that this period abroad carries risks and a sense of instability.
Grebenshchikov described his homeland as being in a deeply troubled and tragic state. He noted that millions of people fear speaking openly or thinking freely, and that silence can feel like a dangerous illness. He also shared that he is exploring ways to help not only Ukrainians but also Russians who are suffering due to the ongoing conflict.
He has stepped back from performing in Ukraine and has chosen to focus his performances outside the country for the time being, shaping a new phase in his artistic career.
When reflecting on his reception in Ukraine, Grebenshchikov recalled warmer and more supportive responses toward his group than those he received in Russia. He mentioned that some Ukrainians have expressed the belief that a good Russian is a dead Russian, and he has received letters that echo that sentiment, underscoring the intense emotions surrounding the crisis.
Today Grebenshchikov and his wife live in London. He left the Aquarium group after several members publicly backed Russia’s actions in Ukraine. He now performs under the stage name BG+ and continues to engage with audiences around Europe, sharing music that resonates amid political tension.
How did a musician become a foreign agent?
By the end of June, Grebenshchikov was added to the roster of foreign agents. The Ministry of Justice asserted that the musician conducted concert activities abroad with the aim of supporting Ukraine, opposed the military operation in Ukraine, and received backing from foreign sources. His stance and activities reflect a larger pattern of state scrutiny and public debate around artistic expression amid geopolitical conflict.
Grebenshchikov commented on his status, describing a life lived in the spotlight with a long history of monitoring. He said that being on lists is part of life, noting that he has been on banned lists since the 1970s and again in the 1980s. This sentiment reveals his long experience with political pressures that intersect with his career.
In a summer 2022 interview with a major broadcasting channel, Grebenshchikov discussed his performance at a peace festival in Berlin where many artists participated and proceeds benefited Ukraine. He confirmed that he performed at a prominent Berlin landmark and highlighted that the event raised a substantial amount to assist Ukraine. He added that he did not personally transfer any money to Ukraine because he did not have funds to donate, speaking frankly about the practical limits of his contributions.
On June 15, a Moscow district court fined him for allegedly discrediting the Russian army in an interview where he described Russia’s actions in Ukraine as fascism. A state prosecutor later asked a national investigative agency to review his statements, signaling that his comments were seen as provocative by authorities and prompting a broader discussion about freedom of expression in the country.
Earlier in the conflict, Grebenshchikov described the situation as real madness, a phrase that underscored his concern about the direction of events and the impact on everyday life for citizens across the region.