Russia's Prima Donna Condemns Putin's War

The artist Alla Pugatjova, known as 'Russia's Prima Donna' and who became famous in Sweden in the 1980s, used to receive numerous accolades from Vladimir Putin. Now, she condemns Putin's war in Ukraine, reports the Washington Post.

• "To tell your homeland it is wrong is patriotism," says Pugatjova.

Alla Pugatjova became known in Sweden for her appearances on the TV show 'Jacobs stege' in the 1980s. When interviewed by host Jacob Dahlin, she described herself as "a typical Russian woman."

Pugatjova has often been called 'Russia's Prima Donna' in both Russian and international media, a nickname she has sometimes used herself. When Pugatjova competed for Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1997, the song was titled 'Primadonna', written by Swedes Lasse Holm and Ingela 'Pling' Forsman.

The Washington Post describes Pugatjova as "Russia's most famous pop star" and so popular in the country that the then-leader Leonid Brezhnev was once jokingly described as "a lesser political figure during the Alla Pugatjova era."

Used to Receive Awards from Putin

Russian leader Vladimir Putin often awarded Pugatjova in connection with her birthday. The 76-year-old Pugatjova, who now lives in Latvia, criticizes Putin's war in Ukraine in a new interview.

According to Pugatjova, it is patriotism "to tell your homeland it is wrong." She and her husband Maxim Galkin took a stand against the war as soon as it began in 2022, which immediately led to attacks and threats.

"I will not go into details now about how terrible this war is. Everyone knows I am against the war, and I think our country has suffered a lot — but in second place, because in first place in terms of suffering is Ukraine," Pugatjova wrote on Instagram after the invasion.

The family left Russia later that year.

• "Honestly, it was deeply painful that it turned out this way," says Pugatjova.

"Conscience is More Valuable than Luxury"

But neither she nor her husband could remain silent about their criticism of the war.

• "There is something called conscience. And conscience is more valuable than fame, more valuable than luxury, more valuable than anything else, especially at my age," says Pugatjova.

Journalist Katerina Gordeeva, who conducted the interview, described Pugatjova as an "incredibly powerful" symbol.

• "Her leaving Russia was an enormously strong signal," says Gordeeva.