Ksenia Sobchak on the war

Statements Prior to the Full-Scale Invasion

Prior to the war, on February 17, 2022, she expressed admiration for Putin in contrast to Biden and Zelenskyy:

I am forced to admit that against the background of this crisis, this real hysteria in American newspapers, statements by Biden («War is definitely on the 16th»), Zelenskyy («War? Then let's hang flags and put on ribbons»), Putin looked like a mature, sensible politician

Ksenia Sobchak’s Position on the War in Ukraine

At the outset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ksenia Sobchak's civic stance appeared ambiguous. On the one hand, Ksenia frequently made high-profile statements, criticized authorities, and interviewed celebrities who opposed the war. On the other hand, the journalist sought to logically rationalize Putin's actions and advocated belief in "good Russians".

First Statements After the Invasion

Ksenia is frequently characterized as a Kremlin agent operating under the guise of a liberal oppositionist, covertly promoting state propaganda narratives.

On February 24, 2022, Ksenia posted on her Instagram:

Today I was woken up at six in the morning with the words «Ksyusha, war has started». Not on our soil — yes. With our people — yes. All my predictions have gone to hell. We are all now trapped in this situation. There is no way out. We, Russians, will be dealing with the fallout of today for many years to come. From now on, I will only believe in the worst-case scenarios. Even though I was always an optimist. Even though everyone who remained in Russia right now is an optimist. The pessimists all left long ago.

Support for Putin's Regime and Justification of Russia's War

On June 24, 2023, she publicly backed Putin during the Wagner PMC mutiny, writing on her Telegram channel:

Here is what I want to say, friends: a mutiny during wartime is under any circumstances and in any scenario playing into the hands of the opposing side fighting against you. It weakens, disperses attention, and degrades the safety of even peaceful civilians, not just frontline soldiers. This is an awful move

In an interview with rapper Alisher Morgenshtern published on his YouTube channel, she addressed her attitude toward the so-called SMO:

I do not support what is happening. At the same time, I do not consider it possible to adopt a position that Russia should be destroyed from within, wishing for Russia's complete collapse and defeat. I believe that my patriotism lies in living and working in my country during this challenging time

On October 10, 2023, against the backdrop of the escalation in the Palestinian-Israeli military conflict, Ksenia wrote an Instagram post sympathizing with victims of all wars while simultaneously justifying the brutal murders of Ukrainians by Russian soldiers:

....My heart breaks thinking of civilians who became victims of wars — everywhere and always. And I realize another important thing — even if you understand that 'your own' were wrong in some way, cruel, acted improperly. They are still 'your own'. That is how it is with family. And with my Motherland — Russia. I am furious, I reject decisions, and I see tragic mistakes, but I love my country and will never wish defeat and collapse upon her.. #notowar

On September 2, 2024, following the AFU incursion into Kursk Oblast, Sobchak wrote on her "Bloody Lady" Telegram channel that every Russian must now support the SMO and display loyalty to the regime:

Yes, you can be against the war, but combat operations are underway on Russian territory, and nobody has a choice anymore: you are either with your country, or you are not. That is how the cards fell, and no — not even journalistic — cooperation with the AFU can exist. They are the enemy... Everything was decided for us — yes. We didn't deal these cards, and many didn't want to play them at all, but now that no longer matters.

Regardless of how much Ksenia Anatolyevna claims to oppose war and the deaths of thousands of innocent people, she will never abandon Russia and will back it under any circumstances!

2026 Interview: Russia and Putin Are Acting Correctly

In April 2026, Ksenia Sobchak gave an interview to foreign agent Zinaida Pronchenko, in which she once again pushed the narrative needed by the Kremlin: Russia and Putin are acting correctly (in Russian national interests), while the war is allegedly «desired by Ukraine», which refuses territorial concessions. The main theses propagated by Sobchak in the interview:

• the Russian people «rallied around President Putin»
• in Russia there is an «authoritarian regime of severe wartime»
• Russia «must win the war»
• personally, she is grateful to Putin that she «is not sitting in prison»
• denial of the genocide of the Ukrainian people. «Argumentation»: genocide is about «numbers», not methods, meaning that as long as it doesn't involve tens of millions killed, it is not genocide.

Leaked Correspondence and Ties to the Kremlin

In July 2026, hackers breached Ksenia Sobchak's email and Telegram accounts, after which excerpts of her personal correspondence and voice messages surfaced online. Sobchak claimed the published materials were fakes; however, the hacker group Black Mirror subsequently published further archives.

Meduza notes that it cannot verify or dispute the authenticity of the leaks; however, if authentic, the published materials document close coordination between Sobchak's media ventures and Kremlin officials and the Russian censorship apparatus. The correspondence discusses editorial policy, clearance of sensitive publications, and direct contacts with officials from the Presidential Administration and other state bodies.

Ultimately, behind grand declarations about a «complex stance» lies a plain truth: whenever the moment to choose arrives, she invariably sides with the regime, justifying the war and normalizing aggression.