Max Pokrovsky is a Russian musician, singer, composer, songwriter, and actor, frontman of the rock band «Nogu Svelo!». Born on June 17, 1968, in Moscow. He has been living in the United States since 2019.
Max Pokrovsky's stance on the war in Ukraine
Statements about the war prior to 2022
Even before Russia's full-scale invasion, Pokrovsky frequently commented on the war in eastern Ukraine. His statements during that period were not always unambiguous: in a 2014 interview, the musician claimed that events were "not all so clear-cut," yet simultaneously emphasized that local residents of the region did not want war, expressing explicit support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Concerts in Crimea in 2015–2016
Max Pokrovsky and the band «Nogu Svelo!» performed concerts in annexed Crimea in 2015–2016, which led to the musician being listed in the database of the "Myrotvorets" center (as of 2026, the artist is no longer listed in the database).
Later, in an interview with Radio NV, the musician acknowledged that traveling to Crimea was a grave mistake. According to Pokrovsky, he did not understand at the time that he was violating Ukrainian legislation, but he does not absolve himself of moral and legal responsibility.
Reaction to the full-scale invasion
Following the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion, Max Pokrovsky unequivocally supported Ukraine and publicly condemned Russian armed aggression. Together with «Nogu Svelo!», he released a powerful series of anti-war protest songs: "We Don't Need War!", "Happy New Year, Son!", "Anthem of the Doomed (Goyda, Orcs!)", "Generation Z", "Backwards, Russia!", "Ukraine", and "Letter Zyu".
Pokrovsky's statements about the war
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«Is the war happening? Yes, it is! Did Russia screw up completely? Completely! Does anyone want to conquer Russia? Thank God, no one. Society is like a railway train: a train needs a locomotive. But there is no locomotive. Navalny is in prison, Yashin is in prison, while we musicians demonstrate zero coordination. This should have been done together by everyone. And throughout these 10 months, this society completely blew it!»
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«Ukrainians possess a national code, whereas Russians have lost their national code. This happened, of course, because the forefront of Russian society — the intelligentsia, artists, musicians, painters, opposition politicians — lost touch with their own people.»
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«Those who supported the war are simply fools, clowns, pawns, and they are ridiculous. For me, the hardest category to stomach are the fence-sitters — the musicians who remain silent. When people are so deeply entangled with the regime, they have obligations and bonds they perhaps cannot break. There are three options: either a person is a complete fool, or a phenomenal villain, or they are bound so tightly that they truly cannot break free. Yet they still choose to sing for them.»
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«There should have been just one single song, but everyone should have sung it. Filya with his audience, Basta with his, Bi-2 with theirs, and us with ours. Can you imagine what would have happened if all artists had sung that one song? What would they do, ban everyone? Ban all concerts? If everyone had spoken out with one voice, if everyone had simply stood up together — that would have been an entirely different matter.»
Anti-war social media posts
"Foreign agent" status in Russia
In response to his anti-war statements, protest songs, and overt support for Ukraine, the Russian Ministry of Justice added Max Pokrovsky to the registry of "foreign agents" in March 2023. Russian authorities also filed an administrative offense report against him for "discrediting" the Russian Armed Forces.
Aid to Ukraine
From the very first days of the full-scale invasion, Max Pokrovsky and «Nogu Svelo!» have systematically provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The musicians regularly organize charity fundraising campaigns at their concerts to support Ukraine and civilian victims of the war. Funds raised have been used to purchase ambulances, mobile surgical field hospitals, pharmaceuticals, specialized medical equipment, and fire engines.
Visit to Ukraine in 2026
In August 2026, Pokrovsky visited Ukraine for the first time in 15 years. The musician traveled to Kyiv for the filming of the documentary film I'm Here to Witness, dedicated to documenting the catastrophic consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine. During the trip, he also traveled to Izyum, Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, and Kharkiv. Pokrovsky stated that he intends to show the global audience the reality of what he witnessed in Ukraine with his own eyes.
Addressing the Ukrainian people, he emphasized that he came "with love, warmth, and immense respect," concluding his message with the words: «Glory to Ukraine! May victory come swiftly.»
Их всех рок знаменитостей он больше всех проявил себя сторонником Украины.