Vaenga (Elena Khrulyova) is a Russian pop singer, songwriter, actress, and recipient of the "Chanson of the Year" awards. She was born on January 27, 1977, in Severomorsk, Murmansk Oblast, USSR.
Listening to this artist's tracks on official streaming platforms, social media, and other services indirectly contributes to financing the war — through taxes paid to the budget of the Russian Federation.
During the 2012 presidential election campaign, she supported Vladimir Putin's candidacy and appeared in a video from the "Why I Vote for Putin" series.
In April 2017, she was entered into the database of the "Myrotvorets" website for deliberate violation of the state border of Ukraine and touring in Russian-occupied Crimea.
On January 7, 2023, she was included in the sanctions list of Ukraine targeting individuals "who publicly call for aggressive war, justify, and recognize as lawful the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the temporary occupation of Ukrainian territory." The sanctions entail asset freezes in Ukraine, suspension of economic and financial obligations, termination of cultural exchanges and cooperation, and revocation of Ukrainian state awards.
Vaenga's Stance on the War in Ukraine
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Elena Vaenga did not immediately comment on events. On her social media, she wrote:
I will state my opinion later. In a video address. Right now I will remain silent, just as I remained silent for 8 years.
However, later she admitted that she fully supports the president's actions and endorses the so-called SMO. In May 2022, during an interview with Ksenia Sobchak, she stated:
I am terrified that something might happen to him. I fear this with an animal terror. I only need him. Nobody else can be like that. He is very strong, with him I feel no fear. If he were gone, I don't know what would become of my country. And I prayed for my president like I would for someone close to me... I like Shoigu's masculinity... As far as I'm concerned, America is the one that «set the house on fire.
Elena also commented on one of the statements made by Alla Pugacheva:
But when she said, «They used to be serfs, now they are slaves,» then everyone took serious offense. I took that personally as well. Because I love the president, I like the president. That's why I guess I must be bad.
From May 31 to June 4, 2022, Vaenga's concerts in Israeli cities were canceled due to her pro-Putin stance.
Vaenga continues touring cities in Russia and Belarus and appearing on Russian TV shows.
