A scandal is brewing in Russia over state payments to artists who have condemned the war in Ukraine and subsequently emigrated. Despite being designated as “foreign agents” and living abroad, prominent singers continue to receive substantial funds from the Russian state budget, sparking outrage among supporters of the current regime, according to reports.
Particular attention is being paid to the financial situation of Alla Pugacheva, with monthly payments estimated to range from 50,000 to 90,000 rubles. These sums are comprised of numerous state awards, orders and special allowances for Moscow residents, which the singer receives despite having lived outside of Russia for an extended period.
In addition to direct pension payments, a significant portion of the artist’s income comes from royalties, as her music continues to be played on radio stations. A similar situation exists with Andrey Makarevich, whose pension, including bonuses for his rank, also reaches 90,000 rubles.
With the average pension for a typical Russian citizen barely exceeding 20,000 rubles, the wealth of these “disfavored” celebrities has grow a convenient pretext for propaganda manipulation. Russian activists are demanding the immediate cancellation of all privileges for cultural figures who have publicly distanced themselves from the Kremlin’s policies and expressed support for Ukraine.
However, legal experts note that it is difficult to unilaterally deprive citizens of benefits they have earned without formally renouncing their citizenship or obtaining a corresponding court order. Currently, the pensions remain the artists’ legally protected property, which only exacerbates tensions within the Russian media environment.
