Aleksandr Zubarev (zubarefff) is a Ukrainian streamer, TikToker, and blogger with millions of followers. A dance teacher and choreographer by profession. Born on February 15, 1987, in Donetsk, Ukrainian SSR.
Life in Donetsk and Moving to China
Zubarev lived in Donetsk when the war began in 2014. Later in his interviews, he recalled those experiences:
From 2014 onwards, the earth shook. We spent nights in basements, crossing ourselves and incessantly reading the Lord's Prayer. You just sit there and read it, one after another. And then somehow... I do not know how it happened, maybe the front line moved further away, maybe they came to an agreement... But incoming shelling became less frequent, though constant
In 2015, he relocated to China to work under contract as a choreographer.
Controversial Joke About "Infants" and Apology
In 2018, during one of his live streams, Zubarev mocked the absurd Russian propaganda myth claiming that Ukrainians eat Russian babies. Sitting in a diner, the blogger joked that he was eating a "burger with Russian infants." In 2026, he publicly apologized for this joke.
Incident with the DPR Flag
A video surfaced online showing Zubarev riding in an automobile with a visible flag of the so-called "DPR" on the dashboard. Several explanations are possible — from conscious endorsement of the occupation regime to an effort to avoid trouble on Russian-controlled territory, or simply "a friend's car." The flag of the so-called "DPR" is not merely a strip of fabric, but a symbol of war, aggression, and destruction. Even passive display of such symbols carries undeniable moral responsibility.
Aleksandr Zubarev's Stance on the War in Ukraine
Since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war in 2014, Aleksandr Zubarev refrained from commenting on political subjects, refusing to specify who attacked whom, or who is the aggressor and who is the victim. However, in September 2022, during a live broadcast, replying to a subscriber's question regarding the Russian language, Zubarev touched upon the topic of the war:
...There were many heartfelt impulses (note: to speak Ukrainian) from the moment the war started. I thought, well, I would support and speak Ukrainian. But after messages like that, out of principle, I will not speak it. On the one hand, I understand your anger, hatred toward what is happening, toward certain things. But I am amazed at how blind you are and how you fail to see the entire theater. You do not even see what is truly happening, or you do not want to see it. It is all theater. Simply that human lives become bargaining chips — that is the most terrifying thing. That lives and destinies are being shattered — that is what is terrifying. Everything can be repaired and rebuilt, but a life cannot be restored — that is what is terrifying..
Zubarev also explained why he refuses to engage in politics and does not differentiate between sides:
I have renounced news channels. Is that selfish of me? Yes, very much so. Nonetheless, there will never be a single political news story on my channel. People, no matter which side they are on, are human beings. If there is an opportunity to help flood victims, I help. We raised money for a kindergarten in Odesa, we helped. You help Ukraine, but do not want to help your own Donetsk? I help Donetsk. Ah, so you support separatism? And do you know what my principle is? Call it whatever you like — 'sitting on two chairs', 'on three'. I do not divide people into this side and that side. The war affected everyone, ruining destinies and the lives of ordinary people both here and there. But if I only help one side, that would be awful.
Reaction to the "Glory to the AFU" Donation
In May 2023, Aleksandr Zubarev during his live stream, replying to a donation sent by a Ukrainian with the attached message "Glory to the AFU", said: "May everything work out for you guys." He then added: "I condemn this" and "never allow such donations through again." The next day, the streamer began making excuses, claiming that he does not discuss politics and that "the phrase taken out of context: 'may everything work out for you' was addressed to an individual who had lost all hope."
Career in Russia
Because Aleksandr commands an extensive Russian audience, he has recently become especially in demand in Russia. In March 2024, Aleksandr appeared as a guest on Basta's show "Vopros Rebrom". In late 2024, Zubarev featured in the New Year's special of the comedy show "Chto Bylo Dalshe?". In February 2025, it was announced that Aleksandr secured the starring role in the Russian comedy film Skuf.
Collaboration with Z-Producers and Financial Schemes in Russia
In 2024–2025, Zubarev played the lead role in the production of the Russian film Skuf, where his co-star on set was popular Russian blogger Valya Karnaval.
After Russian pro-war ultranationalists began criticizing the streamer for alleged "pro-Ukrainian" remarks, the extremist orthodox-nationalist organization "Sorok Sorokov" unexpectedly stepped in to defend him. From their public Telegram statement, it became clear that Zubarev effectively operates for the Russian entertainment market: his acting fee for Skuf was remitted to his sister's bank account, and taxes were paid to Russia.
Furthermore, the producers of the film Skuf proved to be fervent backers of the war. According to the same nationalist organization, the film's creators "not for show, but genuinely and continuously" provide material aid to Russian fighters in the SMO and promote so-called 'traditional values' in cinema. One of the producers, Gaik Asatryan, commented on the controversy surrounding Zubarev:
I understand that he turned out to be a controversial figure, but he stands with Us 100%, simply many factors coincided. I personally provide extensive help to the boys in the SMO, we paid Aleksandr's fee directly to Donetsk, and taxes went to the new regions
Even assuming the blogger was unaware of the producers' political allegiances, this does not absolve him of moral responsibility for partnering with "Z-patriots" and utilizing financial arrangements through relatives to inject revenue into the aggressor state's wartime economy.
Записал видео, где оправдывался перед россиянами за свои слова, которые он сказал ещё в 2018 году во время прямой трансляции, отвечая на вопрос зрителя: "А с чем бургер?". Зубарев ответил: "Бургер з російськими немо*лятами". Сама фраза - это ирония над российской пропагандой. Определённо *етник, который так сильно боится потерять деньги, что продаст даже свою страну.
https://t.me/zubarefff/15649
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSaKjxUmM/
вот эти вот высказывания "Мне жалко людей с обеих сторон" - такая параша, ру*аки буквально начали войну и зашли на территорию чужого государства. Жалко тебе их? Ну так скажи, чтоб не шли. Видел я комментарий какого то русского, типа "Надеюсь скоро Украина подпишет безоговорочную капитуляцию и наступит мир". Еще и смайлики надежды и мира добавил. Вот мне кажется, примерно вот такая позиция у всех этих неоднозначников и кому типа жалко обе стороны. Им бы хотелось чтоб мир наступил, только чтоб раша везде была или как минимум по текущей линии фронта. Они не рассматривают варианта с***баться полностью оттуда
Засуджує "слава зсу"? Мм, прикольно. Не ***ата, ні