Pilot (Пилот) is a Russian rock band formed in Saint Petersburg in 1997 by Ilya Knabengof, widely known under his stage name Ilya Chort (Ilya Chert).
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.
The Band Pilot’s Position on the War in Ukraine
Following the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Pilot frontman Ilya Knabengof adopted an overtly pro-war stance. In protest against his militaristic views, several long-standing band members immediately departed the group.
Endorsement of the Russian Invasion
On April 17, 2022, Ilya Knabengof published an extensive manifesto on his VKontakte page, laying out in detail why he 100% supports the so-called "special military operation":
the military operation was an inevitable necessity in order to halt the Nazis [...] and to stop the completely peremptory eastward expansion of NATO right to our borders [...] We SIMPLY KEPT OUR WORD.
right now I sincerely and honestly support this decision, and I will never betray my Motherland in this moment of severe trials.
I have absolute faith in our victory, because our cause is just.
And even if I have to perish – I will die with a clear conscience before God, with joy and honor that I remained faithful to the end [...] to my Motherland.
Departure of Musicians from the Band
Pilot was abandoned by guitarist Andrey Kazachenko, bassist Sergey Vyrvich, and press secretary Lana Balakhmatova, who fundamentally refused to associate themselves with the frontman's militaristic civic position.
Participation in the «Za Rossiyu» Concerts
Following leader Ilya Chort's eager agreement to perform on the pro-war rally tour "Za Rossiyu", designed to rally public support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
On August 22, 2023, the musicians with a revamped lineup performed at a patriotic state concert celebrating Russian National Flag Day at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
What Ilya Chort Says About the War
In an interview in June 2022, Ilya Chort reaffirmed his staunchly pro-war stance, reiterating a litany of aggressive Kremlin propaganda talking points:
This is my firm stance. Russia is fighting against Nazism. Not against Ukrainians, but against Nazism. I have tons of relatives and friends there – in Mariupol, in Kyiv, in Odesa. I love Ukraine and Ukrainians... Naturally, I am not in favor of war, I am opposed to it – and that is precisely why I oppose Nazism. My loved ones in Mariupol confirmed everything our combatants are telling me (I am in direct touch with some of those on the frontlines). I receive all information strictly firsthand – for over a quarter of a century I haven't watched television, listened to the radio, or read newspapers.
The Tsar decided that battle was unavoidable, and he knows better than I do, for instance. He possesses far more information on the matter. I trust his extensive experience as a statesman — I trust the captain of the ship on which I sail.
And it wasn't Russia that started the aggression anyway.
The country was seized by Nazis. [...] And this state, which is blatantly Nazi [...] is yearning to enter NATO, that is, directly into the camp of our sworn enemies.
Russia is a mighty and powerful country. Naturally, nobody is pleased with that. Many have always sought to defeat and subjugate her, and now they found a convenient pretext. I have always opposed Nazis and always will. Those Russian musicians who fled abroad and badmouth Russia from there are no longer Russian in my eyes.
Celebrities on the Position of the Band Pilot
Mariupol. Driving through a completely destroyed, pulverized city. And billboards advertising the April 'Za Rossiyu' concerts in the town squares. Looking at the lineup of performers, there are no surprises for me. Except perhaps Uma2rman and Ilya Chort, leader of the band Pilot (although no, looking back at our past conversations, I realized that's where it was always heading). Yet I will never be able to understand how anyone could participate in such things, having seen the footage and photographs of what is happening right now in Ukraine. Because today it is impossible not to know. One can only choose not to know. Avoid looking. Block your eyes and ears. I wouldn't be surprised if trickles of blood start dripping from the artists' mouths during their performances. Alas, we must acknowledge that we have bred a distinct new breed of musicians: 'Rockers who glorify war.'
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