Russian pop star Alla Pugacheva opposes the war in Ukraine | Russia

Russian singer Alla Pugacheva spoke out against the war in Ukraine and “Our children die for imaginary goals.”

These statements are the first time that a pop star, an icon Russiaopenly criticized the conflict.

Her husband, Maxim Galkin, joined journalists, human rights activists and Kremlin opponents in calling him a “foreign agent” last week for his opposition to the war.

Addressing the Russian Ministry of Justice, Pugacheva told her 3.4 million Instagram followers: “I ask you to include me in the list of foreign clients of my beloved country.

“Because I stand in solidarity with my husband, who is an honest and moral person, a true and incorruptible Russian patriot, who wishes nothing but prosperity, peace and freedom of expression in his motherland.”

She said her husband wanted “an end to the deaths of our children for fictitious purposes that make our country a pariah and greatly affect the lives of its citizens.”

Pugacheva, 73, who has sold more than 250 million records, became hugely popular during the Soviet era and remained so throughout his career spanning more than 55 years.

Galkin, a TV presenter who now lives abroad, often criticizes the war in Ukraine.

Russian media said Pugacheva left the country after the invasion began in February. Was seen in Moscow at a funeral Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev On the 3rd of September.

Russian authorities have crack down on any criticism War in Ukraine, fines and prison sentences for dissidents. The performances of several Russian artists who denounced the conflict were canceled.

Pugacheva met the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, several times, but never publicly supported him.