Nekoglai (Nikolay Lebedev) is a Russian-speaking video blogger, TikToker, Twitch streamer, and rapper. Born on November 14, 2000, in Chișinău (Moldova). For a long time, he lived and built his career in Moscow, becoming one of the most-viewed Russian-speaking content creators.
Nekoglai's Position on the War in Ukraine
Following the full-scale invasion, Nekoglai refrained from speaking about the war for 10 months and continued living and working in Russia.
Conflict with Russian Authorities
In November 2022, Nekoglai published a parody video on TikTok featuring a Russian soldier in a trench tossing away incoming grenades dropped from drones. This video triggered fierce backlash from Russian authorities, particularly Ekaterina Mizulina, which led to the blogger's detention despite his apologies. The video caused controversy, as many had initially interpreted it as praise or glorification of the Russian military.
Following his arrest in Moscow, Nekoglai reported experiencing brutal mistreatment, beatings, and torture by police officers. He was forcibly shaved bald and deported to Moldova. At Mizulina's instigation, criminal proceedings were opened against the blogger under Article 128.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Defamation").
Anti-War Stance Following Deportation
Following his return to his homeland, the blogger's stance became radically anti-Russian and pro-Ukrainian. On January 19, 2023, during a livestream, he declared:
I survived two weeks of torture at the hands of the Russian Federation. For what? For a fabricated reason that they blew out of proportion themselves. After this, obviously, I am going to talk about politics, [...] I will fight the Russian regime as long as I live, until the end of my days. [...] I will send $100,000 to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and not just send it, I will buy $100,000 worth of drones. And I've already chosen which ones — DJI Mavic 3T, 10 drones. I'll come to Ukraine, to Kyiv, and film a video handing these drones over personally into their hands.
In January 2023, Nekoglai held a livestream raising money to buy drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Visit to Ukraine
In March 2023, Nekoglai personally traveled to Kyiv to deliver aid to the Ukrainian military. He reported purchasing five vehicles for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as a consignment of high-tech drones (reconnaissance UAVs).
I promised that I would buy $100,000 worth of drones, and I did it. I personally brought the vehicles and equipment to be sure that everything reaches the guys on the frontlines. This is my contribution to the victory over evil.
Use them for their intended purpose. [...] Glad to be part of the victory over the 'Russian world'.
While in Ukraine, the blogger recorded videos against the backdrop of destroyed buildings and interacted with Ukrainian soldiers, urging his millions of followers not to believe Russian propaganda.
Interview with Dmitry Gordon
While in Kyiv, Nekoglai gave an interview to Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon, expressing emotional views regarding the war in Ukraine and the Russian authorities:
This is an utterly pointless war that holds zero rationale for Russia. Russia lost from the very beginning on all fronts, no matter how much they spin, dodge, or broadcast propaganda. No matter how heroically they claimed to have «regrouped» from Kherson, things are going terribly for them. Everyone understands this.
One can say clearly: all residents of the Russian Federation are slaves of the Kremlin who decide nothing.
(About Putin) «He is a child who was deeply hurt by everyone around him in his childhood and made it his goal to prove to everyone that he is better than all of them, the strongest, the smartest... He just wants to prove something to himself and someone else... orchestrating an unnecessary war over territory... The old man has completely lost his mind.
Russia is a terrorist state. If you support them for cheap gas, you are worthless.
In June 2023, Nekoglai appeared live on the Popular Politics channel and stated that he was participating in combat activities on the side of Ukraine, accompanying Ukrainian reconnaissance units into the conflict zone.
In July 2024, in an interview with Vasyl Tymoshenko, he confirmed that he continues to assist Ukrainians and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Support for the Yabloko Party
In August 2026, Nekoglai posted a video on social media dancing in front of a large apple sculpture and urging support for the Yabloko party with the slogan "Yabloko, go forward!" The Yabloko party is the only political party participating in the 2026 State Duma elections campaigning under the slogan "For peace and freedom!" and advocating for a ceasefire and peace agreement.
Criticism and Controversial Reputation
Despite his public pro-Ukrainian stance, Nekoglai continues to maintain ties with several pro-war Russian bloggers, including Kasha and Mafanya. In February 2026, he recorded a joint music video with Mafanya for the song "Shaverma."
During one of his streams, Nekoglai complained that Ukrainians tell him to "f*ck off." In response, he claimed that if they tell him to go there, he will go there, calling it his "home" and his "path." At the same time, the blogger specifically stressed that he does not support Russia, wishes Ukraine victory, and believes Ukraine is in the right in this war. In the same video, Nekoglai defended Kasha, attributing his pro-Russian statements to pressure from the Russian system.
Particular backlash was sparked by a video where the blogger dances in a military uniform wearing the chevron of the GUR (Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine). The content was perceived by many as an attempt to chase clout on military themes.
Nekoglai's reputation remains highly controversial. He is frequently accused of simply "riding the wave of hype" around the war, and of being willing to go too far in pursuit of traffic and revenue — including questionable advertising promotions such as online casinos and marketplaces selling illicit substances.
I waited until night, texted «give me your number,» and simply called him (note: Nekoglai). What is important is that there are good military figures, both prominent in media and non-media, who speak of him either okay or neutrally. Second, what I found on Telegram was a fundraiser for medical treatment of military personnel, including a vehicle, drones, and so on. Given this situation, my earlier remarks that I would beat him up were too harsh. We spoke for about 30 minutes, and I confronted him about dancing in GUR chevrons and uniform, and about collaborating with Russians, and still told him that I don't want to see you in Ukraine's media space.
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSVuCefVX/
только зашел на его эфир в тиктоке, назвал украинцев хо**ами
на английском языке про то какой российский воин крутой чёто такое точно не помню , Некоглай скорее выгодный чем за Украину или Россию , ему просто пох , он ищет выгоду во всём
Не знаю, как вы, но я считаю, что Некоглай помогал Украине ради хайпа, а не искренне. По крайней мере, я так думаю из-за того, что он имеет связи с *етниками, а также рекламирует казино и магазины нар--отиков
https://youtu.be/VTLYwtuGRPs?si=VTHlceLbjLU8okzZ
Он там по полочкам разложил, почему Некоглай - зетник, и то, что он дал дроны — это, по сути, попытка откупиться, чтобы не было лишних вопросов.