Writer,actor and screenwriter Ivan Okhlobystin spoke about fellow artists who left Russia after the start of the special operation in Ukraine. The remarks were reported by TASS.
Okhlobystin said he no longer communicates with those who departed the country. He explained that distance makes contact rare and that the topics they discuss now feel misaligned with his own views. He characterized their positions as misguided, odd, and not honest, expressing a clear stance on the parting of ways within the artistic community.
Nevertheless, he stressed that the songs performed by those who left should not be banned. He argued that the music belonged to a broader moment in culture, created in collaboration with the artists, the audiences, and the communities who entrusted these songs to performers. He emphasized that this is part of shared cultural heritage, not something that can be erased by political divisions.
In another note, Okhlobystin recalled a personal moment from his earlier life. He joked about proposing to his future wife when he was younger, noting that she was then in her early twenties while he was in his late twenties. The anecdote reflected a light, human side of the artist amid the broader discussion surrounding public life and personal choices.
Meanwhile, in related news, Yarmolnik has previously received recognition for contributions to the field of Jewish cinema, marking his longstanding involvement in that cinematic tradition.