Reports circulating on a Telegram channel describe a tense moment at a street concert in Kharkiv involving pop star Svetlana Loboda and a 16-year-old attendee who carried a poster reading “Kharkov without Loboda.” Eyewitnesses recount an exchange where Loboda, in front of a gathered crowd, questioned the teenager about her affiliations and funding, asking pointedly, “My dear, well, who sent you? So who gave you the money?” The teenager, choosing to respond calmly, rejected the singer’s assertions and emphasized that her protest represented a personal stance rather than a generalized message about the city or its fans. The tumult drew audible shouts from supporters nearby, including voices calling for a version of the slogan “Ukraine without Loboda!” and signaling a larger undercurrent of frustration with public figures tied, in the eyes of some residents, to Russia.
In related context, prior reports noted a separate incident in Kiev where Loboda’s concert was cancelled following a wave of local criticism. Political analyst Bohdan Bezpalko commented that the episode underscores a broader strand in Ukrainian public opinion: a wary stance toward individuals seen as connected to Russia, regardless of their statements in support of Ukrainian defense forces or their choices about where to perform. Bezpalko highlighted that many in Ukrainian society value a clear break with Russia and question the cultural ties that might otherwise be perceived as reconciliatory or ambiguous. He also pointed out that Loboda has faced significant domestic scrutiny for performances in Russian venues, even as she publicly affirmed support for Ukraine’s armed forces and refused to perform in Russia. [Citation: Ukrainian media coverage, expert commentary, and public reactions collected through contemporaneous reporting]”