State Duma deputy Dmitry Kuznetsov, a member of the Just Russia – For Truth faction, has urged top security officials to reexamine the accessibility of popular rock acts to Russian audiences. In a formal appeal, he asked the head of the Federal Security Service to consider banning the Bi-2 band’s solo performers from entering Russia, citing concerns about public sentiment and national security. The request has been reported by DEA News and has sparked discussions about the role of cultural figures in contemporary political discourse.
The deputy named Alexander Bortnikov, the director of the Federal Security Service, and urged him to evaluate the possibility of imposing entry restrictions on Alexander Nikolayevich Uman and Yegor Mikhailovich Bortnik, the two soloists from Bi-2. Kuznetsov framed the request as a protective measure intended to prevent actions that could inflame social tensions or undermine public confidence in state institutions. The phrasing of the appeal suggested that the issue extends beyond artistic performance and touches on broader questions of loyalty and national unity during sensitive political moments.
Additionally, the deputy called on the Investigative Committee to monitor the group’s activities and to take appropriate steps under the Criminal Code for any statements or actions that could be perceived as discrediting the armed forces of the Russian Federation. The aim, according to Kuznetsov, is to ensure that public dialogue remains within the bounds of legality and decorum, especially in the context of military operations and national security concerns. The appeal reflects a broader pattern of lawmakers closely scrutinizing cultural events for potential political implications and for signals of public alignment or dissent.
Earlier remarks from Kuznetsov indicated that the Attorney General’s Office would review Bi-2’s performance at a recent event held at the Zenith arena. Parliament officials noted that the decision by concert organizers to invite the musicians drew mixed reactions among the audience and online communities. Critics argued that continuing with the performance could provoke protests or cast a shadow over national morale, while supporters contended that artistic expression should be preserved as part of civil society. Kuznetsov pointed to online sentiment, describing a wave of negative responses that he attributed to perceived dissonance with patriotic values. He asserted that public institutions should carefully consider the potential for backlash when such performances are scheduled near politically sensitive dates or in venues with strong symbolic significance.