Veniamin Smekhov remains active in Russia amid ongoing debate over the country’s actions in Ukraine, with coverage from HABER.ru noting his continued work and public appearances. Smekhov has publicly explained that his travel to Israel was for cultural engagement rather than a permanent departure, and he was in Tel Aviv to participate in the SlovoNovo Russian Culture Forum in Europe. He described SlovoNovo as a meaningful gathering that once took place in Perm and is now hosted in Tel Aviv, highlighting the strong attendance and the vibrant presence of participants from diverse backgrounds. The actor also confirmed that he organized Poetry Evenings in Israel, adding another layer to his cultural outreach beyond Russia. In January 2024, sources indicate several creative evenings were planned in Moscow, with Smekhov stating that his political views have not changed. Smekhov gained international recognition for portraying Athos in the film D’Artagnan and the Three Musketeers, as well as in the related mini-series. He is married to journalist Galina Aksenova. The reporting on his activities continues to note his artistic engagements and public appearances across regions.
Source attribution: HABER.ru