Boris Grebenshchikov (BG) is a Soviet and Russian poet and musician, iconic performer of the 1980s–2000s, and leader of the rock band "Aquarium" (founded in 1972). Born on November 27, 1953, in Leningrad.
During Russia's aggression against Ukraine in 2014, Grebenshchikov urged the authorities to stop deceiving the people and not try to enter history at the cost of human lives. The musician also recorded the anti-war song "Love in the Time of War" ("Lyubov vo vremya voyny").
In June 2022, Boris Grebenshchikov was designated a foreign agent by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation (full list of musician foreign agents)
Boris Grebenshchikov's ("Aquarium") stance on the war in Ukraine
With the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, Boris Grebenshchikov condemned Russia's actions and took a clear stand against the war. On February 28, 2022, the musician posted a video message on Instagram, stating:
War with Ukraine is madness. And the people who unleashed it are the shame of Russia
In May 2023, Boris Grebenshchikov was fined 50,000 rubles under the administrative article for "discrediting" the Russian army.
Video: BG firmly articulated his stance on the war in Ukraine
In 2022, "Aquarium" had planned a major concert tour across Russia to celebrate the band's 50th anniversary. However, the concerts were cancelled, and Boris Grebenshchikov moved to London.
Currently, "Aquarium" tours across European countries.
What Boris Grebenshchikov says about the war in Ukraine: quotes
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"You understand, if in the center of Europe one country attacked another and the entire world is silent because the attacking country has a nuclear button, then, excuse me, the situation is disgraceful. I believe what is happening in Ukraine is a shame: the shame of the entire world and of Russia in particular. Let's not beat about the bush. We all know what is happening. It's pointless to debate it. The war has been going on for eight years because bandits were brought from Belgorod and Rostov and thrown into Donetsk. Everyone knows this. There is no point in concealing it. I have a lot of acquaintances living in Donbas. Therefore, I understand more or less what is happening."
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"This is precisely what fascism is — the extermination of one nation by another on national and cultural grounds. Those who support this war are mentally ill, but they hold power, so they can crush with tanks, destroy, imprison, and shoot anyone they encounter on the street."
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"From the very beginning of our conversation today, I have been saying one and the same thing. I would dream for this war to end. That is all. Period. I would dream for people to stop being killed. By the way, not only there; they are not only killed in Ukraine. But in Ukraine first and foremost."
