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Russia Moves to Label Pop Icon Alla Pugacheva a 'Foreign Agent'

The request by Russian prosecutors comes amid Pugacheva's vocal criticism of the Ukraine war, highlighting a growing rift between the Kremlin and cultural figures.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Russian pop singer Alla Pugacheva during an awards ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow on Dec. 22, 2014.
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Overview

  • Russian prosecutors have requested the justice ministry to label Alla Pugacheva, the queen of Soviet pop music, as a 'foreign agent' due to her criticism of the Ukraine war.
  • Pugacheva, known for hits like 'Million Scarlet Roses,' has been a cultural icon across generations and has previously been celebrated by Russian leadership.
  • The designation of 'foreign agent' carries negative connotations and imposes financial and bureaucratic burdens, but is seen by some as a badge of honor against Putin's regime.
  • Pugacheva has expressed solidarity with her husband, Maxim Galkin, who was labeled a foreign agent in 2022, and has criticized the war for turning Russia into a 'pariah' state.
  • The decision to label Pugacheva a foreign agent is pending approval from the Kremlin and could be announced on her 75th birthday.