Pavel Derevyanko is a popular Russian theater and film actor. He was born on July 2, 1976, in Taganrog (RSFSR). He gained fame for his roles in the films «Fortress of War» («Brest Fortress»), «Salyut-7», as well as the television series «House Arrest» and «Unprincipled».
For a long time he was considered an actor with liberal views, openly supported the opposition, repeatedly spoke out in support of Alexei Navalny, criticized the Russian government, and praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, in 2023 he radically altered his public position.
Pavel Derevyanko's stance on the war in Ukraine
At the beginning of the war, Pavel Derevyanko posted a black square on social media — a symbol of silent protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine — but soon deleted it on the advice of friends. Following that, the actor adopted a stance of silence.
The actor was blacklisted and lost several of his projects.
Trip to Donbas
In August 2023, Derevyanko visited the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast, specifically the city of Khartsyzk. There he met with wounded Russian soldiers in a hospital and expressed his support for them.
The time has come to visit our guys and determine which side I am on. I have no doubts left here — I am with my country, I am with my people. Everything I previously saw on the internet and what I saw here with my own eyes — there is a huge difference.
The actor also emphasized that he now fully supports the actions of the Russian army and the country's leadership. In interviews, he stated that he had "reassessed his views" and considers it vital to be "with one's people in difficult times".
In October 2023, for publicly supporting Russian aggression and illegally visiting occupied territories of Ukraine, Pavel Derevyanko was added to the database of the "Myrotvorets" website.
In April 2026, in an interview with propaganda blogger Luka Yebkov, the actor talked about his changed attitude toward the "SMO":
I thought, what do you mean, did we start it? I posted a black square. People told me: take it down, don't do it. I took that square down. And then rather quickly people started leaving somewhere. Spreading panic, yes, everyone. And I looked, I also lived in a bit of a quiet horror, wondering how things were back home. And all of my Taganrog is withering without those borders. ...And I realized that I will never in my life leave here, I will die, in a year I'll be gone, I will suffocate without Russia, without Moscow, without my family.
My worldview began to change. Then I started discovering a lot of different information about what happened with that very same Donbas, what NATO was doing with those borders. And I realized that some utter nonsense and horror was genuinely taking place. And that is how my awareness gradually formed. Well, because I am a citizen of this country. I am a patriot of this country. I am for our guys. ...As my worldview shifted, I understand that of course I support my country. And I support our guys, our soldiers
Celebrities on Derevyanko's stance
Pasha Derevyanko went to Donbas. That's probably payback for his support of Navalny when he was jailed. Now he says: 'I'm going to Donbas to visit our guys.' What is that? Somehow they caught him by the b*lls
Явно не фанат путина и его друзей и тем более войны