Jinjer is a Ukrainian progressive groove metal band founded in 2008 in Horlivka, Donetsk Oblast. One of Ukraine's most internationally recognized musical acts. The faces of the band are lead vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk and bassist Eugene Abdukhanov.
Jinjer's stance before 2022
Following the outbreak of the war in Donbas in 2014, the band members relocated to Lviv (and subsequently to Kyiv); however, they initially adopted a "not everything is so unambiguous" posture. Their contradictory rhetoric frequently drew sharp criticism in Ukrainian society. The musicians publicly expressed talking points echoing narratives about "friendship among fraternal peoples" and nostalgia for the Soviet past.
Eugene Abdukhanov repeatedly referred to the war that began in 2014 as a "civil war":
If you break it down—essentially, it's a civil war... My firm position and the position of the band Jinjer is that both sides share the blame for this.
The musicians also cast doubt on the positive outcomes of the Revolution of Dignity, pointing to the loss of Crimea and Donbas, and claimed that "it remains unknown to this day" who shot protesters on the Maidan.
Concerts in Russia in 2020
In March 2020, Jinjer staged concerts in Russia, which provoked a fierce backlash. The musicians justified this by citing a desire to play for their fans ("ordinary lads from Saint Petersburg") and even an intention to "provoke Ukrainian nationalists."
Russia is not my enemy. The people living there are not my enemies... My enemy is the Russian government,« Abdukhanov maintained.
As a result of this controversy, Jinjer fell out with several Ukrainian musicians and alienated a portion of their domestic fanbase.
Jinjer's stance on the war in Ukraine
With the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the band's rhetoric shifted fundamentally. Jinjer publicly condemned Russian aggression and acknowledged the fallacy of their prior assumptions regarding the possibility of peace with the Russian Federation.
During the opening days of the full-scale war, Abdukhanov released a video statement on the band's YouTube channel denouncing Putin's actions and calling for global solidarity with Ukraine.
The band also published an anti-war statement on X (formerly Twitter):
Dear all. At this moment as we write these lines, all members of JINJER and our families are safe and unhurt. A huge thank you to people around the world for your messages of support for us—and especially for our country. As you know, on the morning of February 24, Putin launched a war against independent and sovereign Ukraine. Please remember that it is crucial right now, in every corner of the world, to support Ukraine and peace in our land—much depends on you as well, wherever you may be. Especially in Russia, because your stance and opinion carry profound weight in these times. NOTHING can justify violence and the slaughter of innocent civilians—and that is exactly what is happening in our country right now. Stop the war in Ukraine now!
Acknowledging mistakes
The musicians explained the transformation of their perspectives:
Today we fully recognize that peace with Putin's Russia was never possible, and we are pained that we only realized this on the morning of February 24. I always called Putin a dictator... but he turned out to be a bloody butcher.
The band emphasizes that they never endorsed separatism, and that controversial past posts regarding a "civil war" were written out of raw emotion in an attempt to plead for peace. Addressing nostalgia for the USSR, Abdukhanov noted that "returning to the Soviet fold" is now completely unthinkable, as "Putin has given all of us a lifelong vaccination against the 'Russian World'."
Aid to Ukrainians and the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Today, Jinjer actively utilize their global stature to rally support for Ukraine:
- The band tours worldwide (traveling abroad with official permits granted by Ukraine's Ministry of Culture), performing in packed arenas and festivals.
- From international stages, the musicians consistently deliver the truth about the war, emphasizing: "Ukraine stands and will prevail, because truth is on our side."
- The band produces charitable merchandise and collects donations, funneling proceeds directly to humanitarian relief and defense initiatives.
At every single concert across the globe for 11 years now, Tatiana has said the exact same thing: 'We are JINJER from UKRAINE!' It has never been otherwise, and it never could be,« Eugene Abdukhanov summarized regarding the band's identity.
