Mikhail Shats on the war

Mikhail Shats is a Russian television presenter, showman, humorist, theater and film actor, and stand-up comedian. Born on June 7, 1965, in Leningrad. Member of the Russian Opposition Coordination Council.

Together with his wife Tatyana Lazareva, he supported LGBT rights and openly opposed legislation banning the promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships in the Russian Federation.

In March 2014, he condemned the annexation of Crimea by Russia.

Designated a foreign agent in the Russian Federation

Mikhail Shats's stance on the war in Ukraine

In March 2014, he publicly supported Ukraine and opposed Putin's aggressive policy toward Ukraine.

On February 24, 2022, he published a post on his social media:

This is a truly horrifying day. Everything is tumbling into an abyss. People are dying. Children are weeping. There is nothing that can ever justify this.

Mikhail was forced to leave Russia and currently lives in Israel.

Video: "I do not wish victory for this Russia": Shats on the war, leaving Russia, and rebuilding life from scratch

What Shats says about the war in Ukraine: quotes

• "It seems to me that Ukraine has already won, because it shattered the plans upon which the entire philosophy of this war was constructed—a swift, victorious war confirming the greatness of the regime, the country, the state, whatever you want to call it. Those plans are completely shattered. That is the first thing, and the second is that Ukraine was and will remain a sovereign state, because the objective was to destroy it as a state. And in that sense, these plans are ruined, and Ukraine has already achieved victory. Naturally, I cannot predict within which borders, or what the ultimate outcome will be. That is not for me to say. But fundamentally, I believe this is what matters most."

• "I see two entirely opposite development trajectories for these states. For Ukraine, I foresee a tremendous economic breakthrough, reconstruction, the building of state infrastructure, modernization, and so on. In other words, a clear roadmap. For Russia, I see nothing positive in terms of development or future prospects. Without question, this is the finale. Perhaps a semi-final, but in any case, it is unquestionably the disintegration of an empire. We are witnessing this."

• "I occasionally message them (Ed. friends from Ukraine). You understand, like anyone who has a lot of friends in Ukraine, I think we all experience that awkward moment when you cannot even write the banal phrase 'How are you?'. It is obvious how things are, and it is obvious you are attempting in this way to convey some measure of emotional sympathy. Yet it really feels barely appropriate. It is very hard."

• "War is agony and filth. It spares nothing. Nor does it spare relationships between people... I am utterly astounded by and deeply admire the spirit of the Ukrainian people, their resolve in this struggle for freedom and independence. This heroism, the horrors occurring there. This fight against an adversary with clear numerical superiority, this tenacity."

Shats's social media posts on the war in Ukraine