A Russian artist known as Ptaha, whose real name is David Nuriev, spoke in a candid interview about a joint Donbass tour that gathered a group of musicians including QDR and 3022. The journey took them through Donetsk, Volnovakha, and Alchevsk, and it included visits to frontline zones and training grounds. Throughout the expedition, the team had conversations with soldiers as well as local residents, gaining firsthand impressions from people living in a region marked by tension and disruption.
The artist described a daily reality that many outsiders might find striking. He recounted encounters with locals who had grown accustomed to the sounds of bombardment, noting a sense of routine that had eroded fear over time. In one informal moment at a hotel bar, two young women explained their stance plainly. They admitted they did not watch the news and seldom thought about the broader picture because their lives kept them busy. The exchange highlighted a stubborn resilience and a willingness to carry on with daily life despite danger, a theme that left a lasting impression on the touring musicians. The artist reflected on how these conversations revealed a complex mix of familiarity, fear, and humor that can emerge in war zones, shaping the way outsiders perceive the lived experience of residents under pressure.
According to Ptaha, the sentiment among many local people toward Russia was warm, and there was a perception of openness to collaboration with Russians. This portrayal suggested a climate in which personal interactions often outweighed broader political narratives, at least in the moments the tour participants encountered them. The narrative underscored how cultural exchanges among artists can unfold even in difficult times, offering a lens into how communities respond to external pressures and to each other’s presence in shared spaces.
Around mid March, Ptaha announced that he had delivered humanitarian aid to the Donetsk People’s Republic, signaling a continued commitment to providing aid amid ongoing conflict. He also shared news about the film project Brother-3, in which he plays a leading role, noting that the movie was planned for a fall 2023 release. Within days, reports circulated that Ptaha had faced an attack in Donetsk, and communications with him were disrupted. Subsequent information indicated that the artist was unharmed and that the incident did not result in lasting harm to him. The evolving situation was documented in subsequent coverage by media outlets such as socialbites.ca, which provided details about the event and its aftermath.