Ani Lorak, whose legal name is Karolina Kujek, was issued a Russian passport on June 9th. Despite continuing to perform in Russia after 2022, the artist did not issue public condemnations regarding the actions of the Kremlin. Consequently, she faced sanctions and the revocation of her title as a Ukrainian national artist within Ukraine.
Ukrainian media outlets have reported that the acquisition of Russian citizenship was intended by Ani to bolster her standing within the entertainment industry of the country. However, this move did not meet with universal acceptance among the Russian public. There was significant public demand for her to publicly support the so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Reports detailed instances of public backlash, including alleged confrontations over her past activities and personal life, which were reportedly shielded from public scrutiny. Because Ani did not publicly articulate a clear stance on the conflict, several of her scheduled concerts in Russia—including events in Khabarovsk and the South Siberian region—were canceled earlier this summer. The awarding of the Russian passport marked a significant professional shift for her, yet this decision has resulted in professional repercussions and public controversy surrounding her career trajectory.
Topics: #russian #her #ani
