«Neschastny Sluchay» is a Soviet and Russian jazz-rock band formed in 1983 by Alexey Kortnev and Valdis Pelsh.
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.
«Neschastny Sluchay»’s Position on the War in Ukraine
Crimea and Euromaidan: Position in 2014
In 2014, Alexey Kortnev made ambiguous statements regarding the events in Ukraine. Speaking about Euromaidan, he hesitated over what to properly call what had happened — a revolution or a state coup d'état, and noted strong anti-Russian sentiments in Ukraine.
At the same time, Kortnev positively evaluated the annexation of Crimea by Russia. In an interview with «Svobodnaya Pressa», he stated that he was glad Crimea was "ours again," although he acknowledged the use of force and the influence of Russian mass media on the residents of the peninsula:
I am glad that Crimea is ours again. But the manner in which it was returned to Russia, and the situation that followed it, evoke mixed feelings... If Russia had not taken Crimea, most likely there would be war there today as well, and it is not ruled out that NATO troops would have been deployed, which would have been monstrous. Having a NATO base right next door is unacceptable.
Speaking about the war in eastern Ukraine, Kortnev, on the contrary, expressed “extreme indignation and horror” over what was taking place and admitted that Russia had played a certain role in the emergence of the conflict:
We probably played some role in what happened as well.
The musician also spoke out against the deployment of Russian troops and the support of armed formations, believing that this only served to intensify the conflict.
In August 2017, Alexey Kortnev was entered into the database of the "Myrotvorets" center as an accomplice of the Russian occupiers.
Later, Kortnev reconsidered his stance on Crimea. In 2018, he declared that over the intervening years he had gained insight into what was occurring and now held different views regarding the annexation of the peninsula.
The Song «Ya ofigevayu, mama»
In 2014, Kortnev released the song "Ya ofigevayu, mama" ("I'm freaked out, mom"), in which he touched upon events in Ukraine and used an ironic formulation about a "fratricidal war":
And a rally is underway in the square, as is customary in the country nowadays; people fired up with brotherly love applaud a fratricidal war.
Condemnation of the Russian Invasion in 2022
On March 3, 2022, Alexey Kortnev recorded a video on behalf of the band in which he directly condemned Russian aggression against Ukraine. The clip was later deleted, but re-uploads have been preserved online:
We categorically condemn military aggression on the part of the Russian Federation towards Ukraine. We are completely convinced that all the phrases claiming that in this manner Russia is restoring some kind of historical justice and protecting brother Slavs from fascists are merely a cover to satisfy imperial plans and ambitions.
He also added that the country's leadership is constantly lying and leading the Russian Federation towards serious political, economic, and social consequences.
Earlier in late February 2022, during a concert in Arkhangelsk, the musician stated that he felt ashamed to perform funny songs against the backdrop of what was occurring, concluding his performance with the words: “Peace to the world!”.
Criminal Case and Restrictions
In February 2023 in Novosibirsk, a criminal case was initiated against Alexey Kortnev under an article regarding insulting a representative of authority. Later, the musician issued a public apology to the police officer.
In 2023, «Neschastny Sluchay» also found itself listed on the blacklists of banned musical artists.
Kortnev on Life and Work in Russia
On February 10, 2025, Alexey Kortnev published an address on Instagram responding to accusations that after the outbreak of the war he had fled Russia and returned solely for financial gain.
Kortnev stated that throughout all these years he continued to live and work in Russia. According to him, following the outbreak of the war he visited the United States only once during a «Neschastny Sluchay» tour, and holds neither American citizenship, a long-term visa, nor real estate abroad.
One can find numerous videos online of my concerts filmed in Europe, America, and Asia. And verify that these performances do not bear the slightest anti-Russian coloring... I live, labor, and regularly pay taxes in my Homeland.
He spoke separately regarding charitable activities within Russia, including providing aid to refugees from the combat zone in the Donbas and offering support to young female gymnasts.
Readiness to Help the Russian Army
In April 2025, in an interview with the Russian media outlet «Abzats», Alexey Kortnev once again spoke about aiding refugees from Donbas and added that in the future he is ready to assist the army:
... I am also ready to consider the matter of providing assistance to military personnel.
Kortnev once directly condemned the Russian invasion, but over time his position became noticeably more cautious. Remaining in Russia and endeavoring to retain the ability to work, he makes statements that are increasingly loyal to the authorities, extending to a readiness to assist Russian soldiers.
