Leonid Yarmolnik is a Soviet and Russian theater and film actor, television presenter, and producer. Honored Artist of the Russian Federation (1994). Best known for his roles in the films That Very Munchhausen, Love with Privileges, Three Men in a Boat, as well as hosting the television program Cinema for Two. Born on January 22, 1954, in Grodno, Primorsky Krai, RSFSR. He spent his childhood and school years in Lviv, Ukraine.
In 2014, on the program "GOVORITE," Yarmolnik supported the annexation of Crimea, describing it as "primordially Russian land." In the same interview, he accused western Ukrainians of xenophobia, backing it up with a fabricated personal anecdote about residents of Lviv allegedly tearing a Black man apart using two birch trees. He characterized events in Ukraine by claiming that the eastern part of the country "is ready and eager to be with Russia," and labeled Khrushchev's transfer of Crimea to Ukraine a historical mistake.
At that same time, however, he signed an appeal in defense of Andrei Makarevich, who had spoken out criticizing Russian state policy toward Ukraine.
In 2017, the actor was banned from entering Ukraine as a person posing a threat to Ukraine's national security.
In March 2018, he was entered into the database of the "Myrotvorets" website for propaganda of war, Russian fascism, and Nazism.
Leonid Yarmolnik's stance on the war in Ukraine
In January 2024, Yarmolnik for the first time publicly declared his support for the so-called "special military operation." In an interview with TASS, he stated that he considers what is happening "natural and lawful," necessary to protect sovereignty, principles, and peace:
Time shows: everything that is happening is occurring according to the right laws in order to defend our sovereignty, our principles, and preserve peace. One simply cannot remain idle in this situation... Throughout life, there is an eternal struggle between good and evil, a struggle between light and darkness. I believe that we are on the side fighting for the victory of light.
Commenting on artists who left Russia, he stated that this was an "emotional reaction" and expressed hope that they would return:
I think yes, they will return. And I am genuinely very glad that the President makes it clear: regardless of whatever actions and steps people took, they can always return to the Motherland, where they can work normally, bring joy and benefit. Put simply, their audience is here; the people who understand them are here. Since we are talking about talented people, we miss them deeply.
Yarmolnik has justified the annexation of Crimea and the war in Ukraine, effectively cementing his standing as a supporter of the Kremlin's policies.
