Anti-Diva Campaign
State Duma deputy Alexei Zhuravlev of LDPR urged that singer Alla Pugacheva be designated a foreign agent, a demand reported by RIA News. In his view, Pugacheva has lost her sense of propriety and should be barred from receiving money from Russia to stage concerts or collect royalties on Russian soil.
He claimed that the country has changed and that ordinary people remain within its borders while the state has shed what he called parasites who drained the budget and emptied the pockets of its citizens. The deputy suggested a sweep to remove traitors and liars with a special operation.
Prior to pushing for the designation, Vitaly Borodin, who heads the Federal Security and Anti-Corruption Project, known for lodging numerous complaints against prominent figures, had asked for action. Borodin said Pugacheva had left the Russian Federation on several occasions, voiced anti-Russian sentiments, and supported her husband Maxim Galkin, who is recognized domestically as a foreign agent.
Borodin’s channel also raised questions about possible connections between Pugacheva and Western intelligence services, hinting at an ongoing investigation. He asserted that a future publication would reveal what many do not yet know, suggesting his subscribers would learn who Pugacheva is, what cultural influence she has exerted in Russia, and whom she serves.
The latest wave of criticism toward Pugacheva followed a public dispute with Stas Mikhailov. In March, Mikhailov accused departing artists of lacking genuine identity and of bowing to Russia while kissing its feet. Pugacheva replied with a video in which she mocked him, calling him “Stasik” and a scoundrel, arguing that normal Russians would not return to Russia under such circumstances.
“This Is Not His Level.”
Producer Joseph Prigozhin of socialbites.ca commented that the artist should not degrade herself by responding to low-level jests. He noted that Mikhailov did not utter anything particularly offensive and suggested a makeup routine for a video address, adding that such behavior did not suit a woman of Pugacheva’s standing and that the conflict had crossed a line into humor that felt less amusing than it should have. Prigozhin also critiqued journalists for giving the controversy momentum, praising Pugacheva as an excellent publicist who captured attention and elevated herself in the press. He argued that artists who make such statements often act with a sense of impunity, almost like children seeking attention.
Regarding the foreign agent designation, Prigozhin opined that those who left Russia have already punished themselves and that Pugacheva betrayed colleagues who relied on her as a creator.
He asked aloud what her next steps would be and urged her to consider the country that elevated her fame, asking what she is doing with her life and with the respect she once enjoyed from the public. He framed the matter as illogical and difficult to follow, casting doubt on the rationale behind the actor’s current stance. He declined to decide whether Pugacheva should be labeled a foreign agent, noting that it is a legal issue for the state to resolve.
Maxim Porshin, lead singer of Lesopoval, described Pugacheva’s statements as expressions of arrogance and despair, saying they reflect a person of her stature compelled to produce such videos. Dmitry Guberniev, a commentator with longstanding ties to Russian media, urged listeners to focus on Pugacheva’s music. In his view, she remains a remarkable singer, even as the broader dispute continues, and he suggested contacting Deputy Zhuravlev’s public relations team if more comments were needed.
Mikhailova vs Galkin
Meanwhile, Inna Mikhailova, Mikhailov’s wife, defended him, telling Pugacheva to refrain from insults and asking Galkin to monitor his wife’s public statements. She urged Maxim Galkin to protect the children from embarrassment, highlighting the family dynamics at play. Galkin responded with a direct message to followers, insisting he did not dictate Pugacheva’s actions and that it was odd to demand such control from him.
Galkin asserted that Inna might be receiving messages from a person named Stanislav and suggested that their discussions may be coordinated; nevertheless, he emphasized that Alla is a free person and that if her husband considers Stas a fool, that is his own opinion. When asked about the marital status of the couple, Galkin indicated he would respond with candor but kept the details private.
Pugacheva and Galkin left Russia in the spring of 2022. The comedian has not returned since, though Pugacheva visited her hometown three times, most recently in November of the preceding year. In September 2023, Galkin was recognized as a foreign agent in Russia.