The head of the Federal Security and Combating Corruption Project, Vitaly Borodin, has asked the prosecutor’s office to examine the public statements of actress Chulpan Khamatova. This initiative was announced amid broader attention to cultural figures and political discourse within the country, and Borodin signaled a wish to have official oversight of the activities in which the artist participates. The request was conveyed through formal channels, reflecting the ongoing concern about how public figures address current events and government policy in Russia, and it underscored Borodin’s stance on accountability for individuals who use their platform to influence opinion.
Borodin has argued that Khamatova has repeatedly criticized high-level decisions related to the military operation and the actions of the Russian armed forces. He contends that such public criticism crosses lines that he associates with discrediting state institutions. As part of his appeal, Borodin suggested classifying the artist as a foreign agent, a designation that carries significant legal and political implications in Russia and has been applied in other cases involving public figures who are perceived as supporting external aims or agendas. The formal request framed the matter as a matter of national interest and security, tying the artist’s conduct to the broader discourse on national sovereignty and public trust in state institutions.
According to Borodin, Khamatova participated in an event in Riga in April 2022, delivering remarks at a gathering described as a monument to freedom. The event was connected to a campaign that voiced criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and expressed support for Ukrainian sovereignty and resistance to aggression. This episode was presented as evidence of a pattern in which the actress uses her platform to challenge government policy, supplying a context in which Borodin views her statements as contributing to a narrative that the state views as unfriendly or hostile to its official stance. The discussion touched on the role of cultural figures in international debates and how such participation can influence public perception during moments of geopolitical tension.
Subsequent reporting indicated that Khamatova left Russia soon after the initial military operation began, relocating to Latvia. In Latvia, there were media notes about changes in her professional situation and stage affiliations, including a report that she was no longer part of one of the local theatre ensembles. These developments illustrate how professional trajectories for public figures can be affected by political and national security considerations, especially when their public activities are interpreted as taking sides in ongoing international conflicts. The movement of artists and the shifts in their affiliations have often become part of a broader narrative about cultural resistance, national identity, and the global mobility of contemporary performers in a politically charged environment.
Earlier revelations also mentioned that another public figure, Dmitry Nazarov, continues to maintain professional engagements in Russia, highlighting how the landscape of celebrity participation can diverge among individuals with varying public profiles and opinions. The framing of these dynamics emphasizes the tension between freedom of expression and the expectations placed on public figures by state authorities and the political climate. It also reflects a broader pattern seen in many countries where actors and artists navigate a complex array of legal and social pressures as they express personal views while maintaining professional responsibilities on the international stage.