Optimus Gang is a popular Ukrainian creative collective and YouTube project founded in Kyiv. They are renowned for their absurdist and satirical sketches, dark humor, and parodies of street subculture. The group consists of Sanya Malykhin, Bohdan Choma, and Misha Oleynikov. Today, Optimus Gang also operates as a fashion brand, with the creators defining their apparel collections as merch.
Optimus Gang's Stance on the War in Ukraine
Ties with Russia Prior to the Full-Scale War
Prior to the full-scale invasion, the members of Optimus Gang frequently visited Moscow and partnered with Russian bloggers and commercial advertisers.
Anti-War Position
Following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the publication of typical comedic sketches on their channel was halted, and the collective adopted an uncompromising pro-Ukrainian stance.
On February 25, 2022, on Instagram, the team posted an anti-war statement, directly addressing their audience with an appeal not to believe state television narratives (the post has since been deleted):
Currently, there is a WAR in Ukraine! A Russian soldier has entered the territory of our country. Both our soldiers and peaceful civilians are coming under fire. Cities are burning!!! The Russian did not come to rescue «his own» from the hands of Bandera and fascists; he came to kill and conquer our native land for himself.
The group severed all ties with their Russian audience that supported the invasion and began openly calling things by their proper names.
Sanya Malykhin was particularly vocal during his livestreams, fiercely calling out Russians:
I don't give a f*ck if they ban this channel, all the Russians writing here — you are f*ggots.
In August 2022, Optimus Gang unveiled a new T-shirt featuring an illustration of Sanya Malykhin with a tattoo of Ukraine's trident coat of arms on his shoulder. The accompanying caption stated: “Worldwide delivery (we do not ship to f*ggot countries).”
Assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Ukrainians
Across their social platforms, the members of Optimus Gang regularly conduct fundraising campaigns for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). These efforts have included purchasing pickup trucks for the front line, reconnaissance UAV systems with spare airframes for an intelligence unit of the Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR), and other essential military supplies. Furthermore, the members personally traveled to Donetsk Oblast with off-road vehicles and humanitarian supplies for Ukrainian servicemen.
Optimus Gang also raised funds for rebuilding damaged homes in Kharkiv Oblast and directed 100% of profits from merchandise drops to granting New Year wishes for Ukrainian children affected by the war.
During his livestreams, Sanya has also collected funds for the procurement of FPV strike drones.
Optimus Gang held and continues to retain a significant audience across the post-Soviet space, but this did not deter the team from taking an outspoken stand against Russian aggression. Following the full-scale invasion, they transitioned to Ukrainian, paused entertainment sketches, and focused their efforts on volunteering, military fundraising, and aiding Ukraine.
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