Aleksandr «Balu» Balunov is a Russian rock musician, co-founder, and former bass guitarist of the legendary punk band «Korol i Shut». He was born on March 19, 1973, in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), RSFSR, USSR. Since 2006, he has lived in the United States (California), where he engages in creative work, restores the band's audio archives, and publishes books on the history of the group.
While living abroad, Balunov distanced himself from active Russian domestic politics for a long time, yet consistently maintained liberal views. He was critical of the tightening of censorship in Russia and the imperial ambitions of the regime, emphasizing that rock music is inherently synonymous with freedom and protest against the system.
Balu's stance on the war in Ukraine
Following the start of the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Balunov took an open anti-war stance. On his social media platforms and YouTube channel, he explicitly condemned the actions of the Russian military and state leadership, calling what was taking place a crime.
As for Russia's Victory in this war, there won't be one. It is simply clearly not in Putin's interest. What is stupidly profitable for him is an endless war and the disposal of an active, potentially protest-minded population. Therefore, no matter how you look at it, in order to stop the endless killing of Russians and Ukrainians (well, and combat Buryats who for some reason went off to kill Ukrainians too) — all Russian troops must be withdrawn back home. And here the only hope rests on the Armed Forces of Ukraine« (source)
I want to remind everyone once again, in case anyone forgot. This war was started by Russia, without any reason whatsoever. Russia is not defending anyone, it isn't fighting NATO or fascism, but simply attacked a neighboring country out of nowhere. Soldiers aren't dying as heroes, but are being destroyed as invaders. Russia is the aggressor in this war« (source)
Nothing connects me to Putin. Putin always lies. How can anyone support a man who bulls**ts as naturally as he breathes?« (source)
Support for Ukraine
On his social networks, the musician regularly publishes posts in support of Ukraine, shares reports on destructions, and calls on Russians to resist propaganda. Aleksandr actively uses the slogan «Slava Ukraini!» («Glory to Ukraine!») and expresses admiration for the resilience of the Ukrainian people.
Balunov also supports charitable initiatives providing aid to war victims and openly declares the necessity of a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from all occupied territories of Ukraine.
In an interview, he revealed that besides verbal support, he contributes "money for humanitarian aid through the American foundation Hearts for Ukraine".
Would Mikhail Gorsheniov («Gorshok») have supported the war?
In interviews, Aleksandr Balunov often answers the question that troubles many fans of «Korol i Shut»: what stance would the late frontman Mikhail Gorsheniov have taken had he lived to this day. Balu categorically rejects suggestions that Gorshok could ever have become a supporter of the war:
Such questions insult me... [When people ask]: 'Tell us, would Gorshok have shouted «Sieg Heil»? Would he have killed children, raped women?' — I want to answer 'no' and punch someone in the face for asking such things. It is obvious that he wouldn't have. Gorshok was not an a**hole, he wasn't a villain, and he wasn't a fascist.
Commenting on old remarks by Mikhail asserting that «Ukraine is Russian», Balunov explains that a completely different meaning was intended by those words:
Gorshok was saying that Russians and Ukrainians are fraternal nations. That's what we were taught in school. Why should it follow from that that you have to kill Ukrainians?
Persecution and «foreign agent» status
Due to his active anti-war stance, Aleksandr Balunov faced persecution by Russian authorities. In December 2024, he was fined 50,000 rubles under the administrative article on «discrediting» the Russian army (Art. 20.3.3 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation). The pretext was five posts in his personal Telegram channel in which he spoke out against the war.
On March 21, 2025, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation included Aleksandr Balunov in the registry of «foreign agents». The agency justified the decision on the grounds that the musician opposed the invasion of Ukraine and distributed materials of other "foreign agents".
In spring 2025, the musician's Telegram channel was taken down for "violating Telegram rules".
Find out about the positions of other members of «Korol i Shut», such as KnyazZ, Severny Flot, and Mariya Nefedova.
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