Russian rock musician Oleg Abramov, known to fans as Radio Tapok, appears in the latest release from Liliya Abramova’s project Tatarka FM. In this musical moment, he presents himself as one of the few artists actively trying to keep cultural links between Russia and Ukraine alive. He frames his involvement with Tatarka as a visible thread that connects two communities through shared sound and memory, saying, obviously with Tatarka.
Over the years, a stream of Russian-speaking listeners and fellow musicians have reached out to him. They were drawn to the vitality of Russian culture and the energy of rock music. That shared interest, Abramov says, bound them together and gave hope that cultural dialogue could survive even amid political tensions. He emphasizes that in his view he was among the last artists who strove to sustain these cultural ties between Russia and Ukraine.
In a candid interview, Abramov acknowledged a sense of obligation to stand with Russia in the Northern Military District. He described his stance as a personal reflex rooted in loyalty to his homeland and kin.
“I am not happy about the killing of people”, he said. “But I know that I have my country, my children, our soldiers, and I know very well where my own country is. If they are yours, how can you not support them?”
He adds that he has performed for Russian soldiers since 2022, though he keeps this work private and does not promote it publicly.
“It is hard for me to get excited about some of these issues. This is a tragedy in the grand scheme of things. And I can’t make a name for myself out of a tragedy. Well, that’s how I was raised”, he added.
He notes that concerts held in the Northern Military District carry a unique atmosphere shaped by the soldiers who attend and the environment surrounding it.
“There is a characteristic, a blank stare”, he remarked. “The soldiers who returned after bearing heavy experiences are very quiet, and they carry a heavy look.”
These statements place Abramov at a crossroads of art, patriotism, and personal conviction, illustrating how artists navigate the pressures of national crises while continuing to create music. The collaboration with Tatarka FM remains a focal point in his artistic arc, reflecting a broader dialogue about culture, loyalty, and the human cost of conflict.
Attribution: Tatarka FM.