"Lyube" is a Soviet and Russian rock and patriotic pop band formed in 1989. Its frontman and lead vocalist is Nikolay Rastorguyev, widely known as one of Vladimir Putin's favorite artists, People's Artist of Russia (2002), member of the United Russia party since 2006, and former deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (5th convocation).
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.
On March 11, 2014, Rastorguyev signed a collective petition of Russian cultural figures endorsing President Vladimir Putin's policies in Ukraine and Crimea. Since 2014, the band has repeatedly performed in occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea.
In July 2015, he was entered into the database of the "Myrotvorets" website for illegally crossing Ukraine's borders, participating in Russian propaganda events directed against Ukraine, and openly justifying Russian aggression.
Lyube's stance on the war in Ukraine
At the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Nikolay Rastorguyev posted an Instagram story featuring an illustration of hands holding a flower with the hashtag #DavayZaMir ("Let's stand for peace"). This graphic is widely used in posts supporting Russia's invasion and rationalizing its military aggression.
On February 26, the leader of Lyube published a poem on his Instagram page bearing the message: "Russians do not start wars; Russians finish them."
In March 2022, the artist published standard propaganda posts on Telegram in support of Putin and his policies, calling upon Russians to "stand behind the President of RUSSIA, preserve the state, maintain peace and stability, and defend the sovereignty and independence of RUSSIA."
In 2024, during a press conference commemorating the 35th anniversary of Lyube, Rastorguyev answered a question regarding the so-called "special military operation":
Just recently, we were all witnesses to a historic event—Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin's interview with an American journalist. The whole world is dissecting it into quotes and listening to every word... I absolutely agree with my president and with our actions, which we were forced into taking. Russia has always defended itself and never attacked anyone—one only needs to look at history.
Nikolay Rastorguyev served as an authorized representative of Putin during the 2024 Russian presidential election:
I was the president's authorized representative in past elections, and I am now as well. I trust my president. I believe that in the current situation, we cannot have any other president. He is the only president we need. Not only do I think so, but the majority of our country's population thinks so too.
Rastorguyev's personal participation in abusing Ukrainian prisoners of war
According to the eyewitness testimony of Ukrainian serviceman Oleksiy Anulia, who survived Russian captivity, Nikolay Rastorguyev personally visited detention facilities holding Ukrainian prisoners of war and actively participated in their abuse and torture.
According to the witness, the artist behaved with extreme aggression: he not only hurled insults at the Ukrainians and their families, but physically assaulted the prisoners himself. Rastorguyev accused them of "crimes in the Donbas," shouting the harshest state propaganda slogans. This harrowing account demonstrates that the singer does not merely cheerlead the war from the stage, but has directly engaged in physical violence and psychological torture against defenseless detainees.
Concerts for the military and involvement in propaganda events
On March 18, 2022, he performed at the stadium rally-concert celebrating the eighth anniversary of the annexation of Crimea.
Members of the group Lyube and Rastorguyev personally make frequent appearances at concerts for servicemen, in military hospitals, at defense forums such as "Army," and at massive state rallies celebrating territorial annexations and supporting the war. At these concerts, customary wishes are voiced for Russian troops to "return alive and victorious."
Assistance to the Russian army
The lead singer of Lyube regularly provides materiel aid to Russian troops. For instance, ahead of February 23, 2023 (Defender of the Fatherland Day), he congratulated Russian soldiers and participated in the All-Russia People's Front project "Everything for Victory!", donating autographed guitars to frontline troops. In September 2023, he delivered a Ural truck and 200 combat strike drones to the Russian "Pyatnashka" volunteer brigade.
Sanctions
Since October 6, 2022, for backing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Rastorguyev has been under sanctions by all European Union member states, Switzerland, and Canada.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) included Rastorguyev on the list of cultural figures whose actions pose a threat to the country's national security.
To date, members of the band Lyube continue residing in Russia and participating prominently in propaganda events aimed at supporting Russian military aggression against Ukraine.
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