Nervy is a Russian-language rock band from Ukraine, founded in 2010 in Kyiv by lead vocalist and guitarist Evgeny Milkovsky. In early 2012, «Nervy» began performing concerts in Russia. Several of the band's tracks were used as soundtracks for Russian television series.
In 2015, despite the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war, the band signed a contract with the Russian label Gazgolder, owned by singer Basta, who had illegally visited Crimea. Subsequently, the band relocated to Moscow.
The position of the band Nervy and Evgeny Milkovsky on the war in Ukraine
Following the start of the full-scale invasion, the band announced the cessation of performances in Russia. Subsequently, the group was included in the list of banned artists in the Russian Federation.
In May 2022, the band's frontman Milkovsky wrote his first song in the Ukrainian language.
The band «Nervy» took part in the charity tour STAND WITH UKRAINE together with FACE and Pornofilmy in support of Ukraine and in protest against the Russian invasion. The musicians directed all profits earned from ticket sales and donations at these concerts to help Ukrainians affected by the war.
On June 28, 2023, on their Instagram, members of the band «Nervy» answered frequently asked questions regarding what the musicians are doing and who they are:
... The war paralyzed all of us, and it is very hard to speak, so we simply did our work and helped. But, as it turned out, many people get the wrong impression of who we are, where we are, and what we do. Therefore, we want to return to an active dialogue with you. And we want to start it by answering questions about our relationship with Russia.
1) Following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, all activity of the band 'Nervy' on the territory of the aggressor country was stopped, and the band 'Nervy' pays no taxes in Russia.
2) The band 'Nervy' has had no connection to the Gazgolder label since 2017...
3) The website nervyconcerts.com is the only official website of the band 'Nervy'.
4) The band's coffee shop 'Kofe moy drug' in Moscow, which also housed a showroom with our merchandise, was closed for renovation on January 25, 2022, and never reopened after the war began. The band has nothing to do with the café currently located at the same address.
5) All musicians and management of the band 'Nervy' left Russia and do not reside on its territory.
6) From all concerts and other earnings during the Great War, the band constantly donates to Ukraine, both to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and for humanitarian needs. In the carousel, we compiled several slides showing the specific aid we provided...
Instagram posts of the band «Nervy» in support of Ukraine
Milkovsky's interview
In June 2025, in an interview with Mikhail Kozyrev, the lead singer of «Nervy» spoke about the «oppression of Russian speakers» in Ukraine:
In our circles, absolutely everyone spoke Russian. There was a Russian-language school, and Ukrainian was taught twice a week. There was no infringement whatsoever — none at all! I cannot fathom what sick mind could come up with the thought: 'Hey, let me f***ing wreck everything, level cities, kill everyone, and thereby resolve the Russian language issue.'
About the destruction of his hometown of Pokrovsk (formerly Krasnoarmeysk):
The city is simply being wiped off the face of the earth, and it's extremely painful to watch. My house was completely f***ed up — right through the middle of the building, from roof to the ground floor, sliced right through by a projectile. I see my school burning, universities — everything simply wiped out. And a city was right there, ordinary people lived there. It is terrifying how many people this tragedy has wiped away.
About the war and Russia's actions:
Right now my country is being killed for nothing, and cities are being torn down and flattened to the ground. The people doing this exist, and that is the scariest part. Everything dark that exists in a human being is encouraged right now — under Putin, conditions have been created where darkness triumphs.
Currently, the band tours actively across cities in Europe and the United States. The musicians continue to write songs, perform, and run their social media accounts in Russian. There is also no public record of ongoing donations or financial aid to Ukraine from the band.
Comments section (2)