Limp Bizkit is an iconic American nu-metal band formed in 1994 in Florida. The permanent frontman and lead vocalist of the group is Fred Durst. The band is renowned for its aggressive style, fusing rock with hip-hop, as well as numerous public controversies.
Limp Bizkit's Stance on the War in Ukraine
Support for the Annexation of Crimea
During a concert in Voronezh in the autumn of 2015, the musician unfurled a banner on stage reading "Crimea = Russia". In interviews around that time, he also described Vladimir Putin as a "great guy with clear moral principles" and expressed an interest in obtaining a Russian passport and buying a house in occupied Crimea. At that time (from 2012 to 2018), Durst was married to Kseniya Beryazina, a Crimea native, which his representatives claimed influenced his outlook.
In November 2015, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) banned Fred Durst from entering the country for a period of 5 years. The ban was issued due to his public statements and actions threatening the national security and information sovereignty of Ukraine.
In January 2020, Durst was entered into the database of the Myrotvorets website for anti-Ukrainian propaganda.
Reaction to the Full-Scale Invasion
Following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the band initially sought to maintain a detached posture. In February 2022, immediately after the start of the major invasion, Limp Bizkit canceled scheduled concerts in both Russia and Ukraine, citing "current global events" without explicitly condemning Russian armed aggression. However, through subsequent actions, Fred Durst continued demonstrating unreserved affinity for Russia.
Video Featuring Zelenskyy with a White Flag
In April 2023, Fred Durst published a video on his Instagram account depicting Zelenskyy in military uniform holding a white surrender flag. The clip was accompanied by an excerpt from the band's song "Loser".
Controversial Music Video Featuring Deepfakes
In February 2023, the band released a music video for the song "Out of Style", which ignited widespread backlash. The video used deepfake technology to superimpose the faces of the musicians onto world leaders: Putin, Biden, Zelenskyy, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jong Un. The narrative portrayed these "politicians" jamming together in a garage like old buddies while Tom Cruise tends a barbecue grill. Many commentators condemned this as a blatant false equivalency between the victim of aggression and the aggressor, trivializing the devastating war into an out-of-touch "party" of world leaders.
We cannot change the past, but we can start today to make a better tomorrow,« goes the song lyric performed by Durst disguised as Putin.
Appeal to Russians and European Concert Cancellations
Despite the ongoing invasion, Fred Durst did not stop demonstrating warmth toward his Russian audience. In August 2024, he published a post on the Russian social network VKontakte (his first in 6 years), writing:
I miss you all so much. Sending positive vibes and great energy to each and every one of you... Hope to see you soon.
This stance resulted in severe fallout in Europe. In November 2025, Limp Bizkit's concert in Estonia scheduled for 2026 was officially canceled due to Durst's long-standing pro-Russian record. The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that artists who endorse an aggressor state or justify military occupation "have no place on Estonian stages." The concert promoters confirmed the cancellation, citing "force majeure" circumstances arising from widespread public backlash.
Comments section (6)