Alexander Dobrovinsky, counsel for Philip Kirkorov, reminded audiences that awards and titles are not the only things that define an artist or their impact. In the wake of reports that a number of Russian performers were stripped of official titles in Ukraine, the lawyer emphasized that the affection of the public and the integrity of art cannot be measured by trophies. The remark was reported by TASS.
Dobrovinsky added that while President Zelensky can receive any award or title, nothing can grant him dominion over the audience’s loyalty or the vitality of art. He stressed that public adoration and artistic meaning are not commodities that can be bought or revoked by political decree, a point he attributed to the enduring power of art beyond any single leader. The lawyer spoke in defense of the broader artistic community, noting that the resonance of a work often outlives political climates, and that the heart of culture beats where audiences keep showing up. This perspective was relayed by TASS.
Recent reports indicate that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed decrees depriving singer Nikolai Baskov, Philip Kirkorov, Alexander Malinin and composer Igor Krutoy of the title People’s Artist of Ukraine. In addition, singers of Ukrainian origin Ani Lorak and Taisiya Povaliy were stripped of the status Honored Artist of Ukraine. These moves were described as significant cultural shifts by agencies covering the developments, with TASS as a principal source of the translation and interpretation of the decrees.
In the same wave of announcements, director Vladimir Bortko and Bolshoi Theater chief Valery Gergiev were deprived of state awards. The cultural sector watched these rulings with concern, as state decorations carry symbolic weight and are often seen as markers of cross-border artistic exchange and national identity. The announcements were reported by TASS and echoed across regional news outlets, inviting analysis of how such honors function within international cultural diplomacy.
In early November it became clear that the Chisinau Court of Appeal annulled the decision of the first instance court, which had lifted the ban on singer Philip Kirkorov entering Moldova. Previously, Moldova’s Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu stated that he would not allow a Russian artist to visit the country and speak about what he described as the generosity of the Russian world, a line that reflects political tensions shaping cultural travel and performances in the region. The development was reported by TASS as part of a broader review of cross-border artistic activity and policy responses.
Earlier reports indicated the foreign agent status of actor Anatoly Bely, who has been designated a foreign agent in the Russian Federation, remained in force after renewed consideration. Observers noted that this status continues to affect access to certain venues and media opportunities, reinforcing the ongoing debate about the governance of cultural figures in the contested space between nations. The situation and its implications were covered by TASS as part of a continuing narrative about how political designations intersect with artistic careers.