Producer Igor Matvienko stated that Russian audiences will extend forgiveness to the Bi-2 group, showman Maxim Galkin, who is labeled a foreign agent in Russia, and other artists who left the country when certain conditions are met. This is the takeaway from reports tied to Life and Shot materials.
Matvienko suggested that artists working under foreign agencies must adjust their perspectives to align with the sentiments of the Russian public.
He noted that the people of Russia are forgiving by nature and possess a generous spirit. This, he said, is a fundamental trait of the nation and should guide how audiences respond to artists abroad.
According to him, Russians are likely to attend concerts featuring these artists again, reaffirming the strong bond between the fans and the performers who once connected with them through memorable songs and performances.
He explained that past achievements in music cannot be erased; there are great songs and artists who simply found themselves on a path that diverged from the expected course. He emphasized that these realities should not erase the value those artists once offered to audiences.
News emerged that three Bi-2 members holding Russian citizenship were detained in Thailand the day before and could be deported to Russia. Beyond Russia, two other individuals hold Israeli passports. On January 31, the lead singer of the Leva group, Yegor Bortnik, who is recognized as a foreign agent in Russia, arrived in Israel. Additional context about the detention of Bi-2 participants is covered in related coverage from Life and Shot materials.
Additionally, a former diplomat provided details surrounding the deportation process for the Bi-2 musicians.