It was a nerve-wracking period for Bi-2, one of Russia’s most well-known rock groups, as they faced a cascade of headlines, awards, and intense competition. The band’s travels intersected with the broader tensions over Ukraine and the policies of Vladimir Putin. Last weekend, after a show in Phuket, a popular Thai beach town frequented by Russian travelers, the group encountered immigration trouble that carried heavy implications. They were detained on suspicion of arranging business activities beyond the scope of their tourist visas. The seven-member lineup faced nearly a week in immigration facilities before being deported to Israel this week. At the same time, other Russian artists including comedian Maxim Galkin and rapper Morgenshtern faced similar pushback in Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, as authorities acted in ways that reflected Moscow’s influence in some cases.
Russian attorney Dmitri Gudkov, a former State Duma member and a key voice in discussions around the press and foreign policy, commented that the Russian embassy pressed for the musicians’ extradition to Moscow, asserting that Russians hold sway there. Opposition figures in Europe have pressed to prevent Bi-2 from being sent back to Russia, noting that Thai authorities were navigating a difficult situation. There is mention of an international list of individuals deemed undesirable by the Russian government, and sources described extraordinary pressure faced by the musicians as they navigated shifting jurisdictions. The events were linked to what organizers described as a larger political dimension surrounding the group and its international engagements.
The group’s lineup includes seven musicians, some holding dual or multiple citizenships, with passports from Russia as well as Israeli or Australian citizenship. During the initial days of detention, the artists were kept in an open-air facility in Phuket, enduring extreme heat. They were later moved to Bangkok, where confinement included a crowded cell with dozens of inmates and difficult living conditions. A translator presence periodically offered guidance but also warned of potential consequences and demanded bribes in some accounts, while Israeli diplomats reportedly communicated with the musicians to assist them and discourage transfer back to Russia. Israeli authorities publicly stated they would not meet with the Russian consul in Bangkok during these events.
Desire to neutralize the group
In Moscow there appears to be a sense of urgency to silence Bi-2. Aleksandr Uman and Yegor Bortnik, creators of flagship songs that featured in film soundtracks, were part of an era that shaped Russian pop culture at the turn of the millennium. Their home-country popularity mirrors the prominence seen in other national indie scenes, creating a dynamic where cultural figures often become entangled in political narratives. Prominent officials and vocal lawmakers have made pointed comments about the musicians, with some suggesting a tougher stance toward their activities abroad. The rhetoric has underscored how culture and politics can intersect in high-profile cases, sometimes stirring public debate about creativity under international scrutiny.
Galkin, who is married to a revered Russian music legend, has faced scrutiny in the context of foreign agent designations. His situation mirrors the broader trend of noncompliant international movement for certain artists, even as they hold valid work visas in other regions. The case of Morgenshtern, who spoke about establishing a base of operations in Dubai, illustrates the friction between personal ambitions and regulatory environments in foreign markets. His remarks also shed light on how artists balance creative goals with legal and diplomatic realities when their works and statements resonate across borders. The experiences of these figures have been described by observers as emblematic of the current climate in which art, travel, and governance intersect in complex ways.