Orbakaite and her son – in the United States
The authorities have raised questions about the financial ties surrounding Alla Pugacheva, a legendary Soviet and Russian performer who now spends much of her time abroad. In a formal appeal to the Prosecutor General, Vitaly Borodin, who fronts the Federal Security and Anti-Corruption Project, asked for a thorough check to determine whether Pugacheva funds the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He relayed these concerns to Igor Krasnov, the Attorney General, noting that the artist, who relocated to Israel, continues to speak out against Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
Borodin suggested that Pugacheva stands behind colleagues who left Russia and oppose the special operation. He claimed the singer has shown support for individuals who provide financial assistance to Ukraine. He also asserted that the project had previously dealt with foreign funding linked to Pugacheva’s activities and said there were connections with Western intelligence services. On April 12, the Mash Telegram channel claimed a focus on the financing of the Ukrainian army tied to Pugacheva’s family members, specifically her daughter Kristina Orbakaite and granddaughter Nikita Presnyakov.
Kristina Orbakaite has lived in the United States for several years with her husband and daughter, while continuing to perform in Russia. Nikita Presnyakov moved to the United States with his wife more than six months ago after the mobilization announcement. Public activists from a regional patriotic group approached the Investigative Committee seeking a formal verification, citing Orbakaite’s residence in the United States, her perceived reluctance to clearly comment on Russia’s operation in Ukraine, her display of Ukrainian colors, and the pursuit of permanent residence for her son during the mobilization period. The activists demanded the seizure of a 105-meter Orbakaite apartment on Tverskaya-Yamskaya Street in Moscow, a property that Alla Pugacheva reportedly transferred to her daughter in 2014.
Orbakaite and son – in the USA
Kristina Orbakaite used Instagram to announce a new song titled Alla will sing, a birthday project she described as a tribute to her mother. The post notes that Primadonna would turn 74 on April 15. Orbakaite shared a black and white archival photo with her mother in the announcement. Her son Nikita Presnyakov, a musician, has clarified that he does not plan to remain in the United States indefinitely and denied rumors about obtaining American citizenship. He stated in his own words that he has thought about returning to Russia.
While living in the United States, Presnyakov continues to participate in Russian projects alongside his mother, Kristina Orbakaite. He is involved in composing soundtracks for a Russian film titled Trigger, and it was reported that he contributed music to two seasons of the Trigger series with his band Multiverse. The project is described as a sequel to a drama led by Maxim Matveev and was slated to begin in late 2023. About six months ago, Alla Pugacheva’s granddaughter relocated to the United States to pursue a creative career under the stage name Nick Pres. Since the move, members of Multiverse have explored opportunities with other music groups.
Pugacheva, Galkin and children – in Israel
Following last year’s designation of Maxim Galkin as a foreign agent, Pugacheva urged Russian authorities to classify him again as a foreign agent, expressing solidarity with her husband. She described him as an honest, decent, and patriotic figure who seeks a peaceful life and freedom of expression for Russia. A local resident later requested an official check into the singer based on a report about discrediting the military linked to that post. Galkin left Russia last year, while Pugacheva spent time in Israel with her children before returning to Russia for the school year. She subsequently brought her children Lisa and Harry back to school in Russia.
After Galkin’s foreign agent status was announced, Pugacheva returned to Israel with her children, and reports noted that the couple decided to sell a suburban mansion once valued at around one billion rubles. By late 2022, the price had been reduced by about half according to media reports. Critics who began targeting the singer and her family around October 2022 were labeled as envious by Pugacheva, who remarked that those who hate her might be listening to her songs anyway. She explained that such reactions come from people who cannot stand her presence, asserting that their disdain speaks to the reach and impact of her work and public life.