Vera Brezhneva VERA (Vira Halushka) is a Ukrainian and Russian pop singer, actress, and TV host. Former member of the pop group "Nu Virgos" (VIA Gra) (2003–2007). Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS (UN Programme on HIV/AIDS). Founder of the All-Ukrainian Charitable Foundation "Ray of Faith" (Luch Very) aiding children with oncohematological diseases. She was born on February 3, 1982, in Dniprodzerzhynsk (now Kamianske), Ukraine.
The artist collaborated with Russian labels, taxes from whose activities enter the budget of the Russian Federation, indirectly financing the war in Ukraine.
! Listening to this artist's older tracks on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, on social media, etc., helps sponsor the war.
Prior to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the artist lived and worked in Russia.
In 2019, in an interview with Russian propagandist Vyacheslav Manucharov, Vera stated that she had never been a Ukrainian singer and suggested she be called a singer "originally from Ukraine":
I was never a Ukrainian singer. Ukraine itself did not perceive me as such. To be considered a Ukrainian singer, you have to have a song in the Ukrainian language. I don't have any. When I joined VIA Gra, my first concert was in Saint Petersburg.
Vera Brezhneva's Stance on the War in Ukraine
In February 2022, Vera Brezhneva spoke out against Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, after which she was placed on the blacklist of artists prohibited from performing concerts in Russia.
At the start of the war, the artist was in Italy. On February 26, 2022, Vera published an anti-war post featuring a photograph of a bombed-out Kyiv high-rise residential building:
Right now, in addition to the war in Ukraine, there is a war unfolding online. Everyone has their own truth. It is based on what each person sees and what each person believes. But there are facts. And these are the facts. This is Kyiv. 26.02.2022. A residential apartment building in a residential district. #notowar No comments.
In her subsequent Instagram post on February 28, 2022, the singer tried to appeal to her followers from Russia, and shared her deep anguish for her husband, mother, and sister's family, who were huddled in a bomb shelter in Kyiv:
...Military operations are taking place in Kyiv, in Zhytomyr, in Kharkiv, in Berdiansk, in Melitopol, in Kherson, in Chernihiv, in Odesa, in Kakhovka, and in other cities and villages. And every single Ukrainian is pleading with Russian soldiers: do not come. Do not kill. There is no sense in this war. There is no justification for it. It cannot be allowed to continue. STOP THE WAR!!!
In an interview with Elle, the singer shared her emotions during the opening days of the war and her volunteer work, and also commented on the backlash faced by Ukrainian stars who had performed in the Russian Federation prior to the so-called special military operation:
I remember only fear and horror. I wanted to help in any way possible, and I realized that all I could do at that moment was volunteer, because I lacked the internal strength to even appear in public spaces. Since I happened to be in Italy from the very start, the very first thing I did was locate the nearest humanitarian aid warehouse and go there to help out. My mom and I worked there from morning till evening alongside other women. And that way, we felt like part of a massive, beautiful family where everyone helps one another, supporting their country in such a difficult time. I remember practically nothing else from that period. Pain, tears, sadness, fear, and volunteering.
For me, the most crucial thing is that in difficult times I am with my country with all my heart and soul. That matters to me. I have done and continue to do whatever I can. I am the only one I have to wake up with every morning and look myself in the eye in the mirror. My conscience is clear.
In June 2023, Vera Brezhneva was stripped of her residence permit in Russia.
On October 6, 2023, Brezhneva announced her divorce from music producer and composer Konstantin Meladze after eight years of marriage. The couple did not disclose the official reason for their separation, but it is widely believed that the divorce was triggered by differing political views regarding the war.
In late 2023, the singer released a Ukrainian-language EP titled "Dyakuyu" (Thank You) under the stage name VERA. Subsequently, she made an unexpected appearance at the "New Year's Musical Platform" concert performing the song "Dyakuyu", the taping of which took place at the October Palace in Kyiv. Curiously, the artist's performance had not been announced on the promotional poster; she was simply listed under the category "and other artists."
Today, Vera is actively engaged in her digital initiative: the women's self-development platform KOOMA, her beauty brand VERA, and philanthropic work. She has temporarily placed music on pause. She lives between Italy and Latvia, and also periodically visits her eldest daughter in the United States.
Celebrities on Vera Brezhneva's Stance
The war in Ukraine happened because first a cultural crime was committed, including by these figures (editor's note: Vera Brezhneva and Svetlana Loboda), these creatures. And simply because on February 25 they rewrote their lyrics into the Ukrainian language and because they now allegedly support Ukraine, their crime does not cease to exist. The war in Ukraine is, in part, on their conscience as well. And there are far too many such characters.
Vera Brezhneva very sincerely wants to become part of the Ukrainian industry. She wants to stand with Ukrainians, and that truly impressed me. I didn't expect that from her. She now sings exclusively in Ukrainian. Even though she could have easily stayed living in Russia, she refused to do so.
She steps out on stage in foreign countries and proclaims in Russian that she is Ukrainian. What kind of double standard is that, literally sitting on two chairs at once? Take the flag of Ukraine away from her!
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