Anton Lirnik is a Ukrainian actor, showman, screenwriter, TV host, musician, director, producer, and writer. Former resident of the Russian Comedy Club and member of "Duet imeni Chekhova" (Chekhov Duet). Founder of the musical band Lirnik Band. Born on September 23, 1976, in Kirovohrad (now Kropyvnytskyi), Ukrainian SSR.
Following Russia's occupation of Crimea and the outbreak of the war in Donbas in 2014, Lirnik continued actively performing in Russia alongside Andrey Molochny, specifically at corporate events and in Comedy Club.
On February 21, 2025, he was designated a "foreign agent" by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.
Anton Lirnik's stance on the war in Ukraine
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Anton Lirnik published a post on Instagram with the generic phrase "Stop the war." At that time, the comedian was located on the territory of Russia.
In March 2022, Lirnik addressed the President of the Russian Federation, calling him "Vladimir Vladimirovich," and requested assistance in establishing a green corridor through the so-called "DPR" for the residents of Volnovakha. This appeal sparked a strong negative backlash among Ukrainians, as the artist did not call things by their proper names—he avoided using the word "war" and did not condemn Russian aggression:
Vladimir Vladimirovich, I am appealing to you because only you can help. A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in many Ukrainian cities. I am specifically talking about the small town of Volnovakha, a town in eastern Ukraine. People there are in mortal danger—women, children, civilians. The Ukrainian side is ready to establish a green corridor, but consent from the DPR is required. I ask you to help with this.
In March 2022, the artist left Russia, resided in Latvia, then in Turkey, and later relocated to Spain.
2025 Interviews
In September 2025, Anton Lirnik gave an interview to the Russian media project "Govoryashchie Golovy" (Talking Heads). He stated that he had not communicated with Andrey Molochny for many years, did not hold Russian citizenship, and acknowledged his guilt for his delayed reaction to the events of 2014:
This is my fault, which I fully accept: that in 2014, as a Ukrainian, I didn't realize that much more needed to be done to bring back Crimea, to bring back Donbas. So that they would remain Ukrainian, and to keep raising this topic.
He also condemned Ukrainian artists who continue working in the aggressor state:
I couldn't stay there. I understood that no one was waiting for me in Ukraine either, everyone considered me pro-Russian. But I couldn't stay in Russia either. So in one moment, I lost everything and left. But staying there... how much more would you have to kill inside yourself?
In October 2025, the artist gave an interview in Ukrainian to Ukrainian journalist Alina Dorotiuk. He revealed that his biological brother is serving in the military, and that he personally assists him and the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
One brother works in Odesa and stays close to our parents. The other is serving. I cannot disclose where exactly. I help him. Yes, I help the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The entertainer also explained that in his appeal to Putin, whom he now describes as a "maniac," he spoke evasively and avoided using the word "war" due to pressure from FSB officers who had threatened him with imprisonment:
We found a compromise option so that I wouldn't earn myself a prison sentence in Russia. That was why I couldn't say the word «war,» but instead said that it was a horrific situation, hell, a catastrophe, that civilians could die, please open a corridor. It was a form of informational influence so that my followers in Russia would take notice. I hope it affected someone.
The comedian added that he had considered joining the ranks of the Defense Forces himself, but currently believes that he "can bring more benefit by working with narratives."
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