Yolka (Elizaveta Ivantsiv) is a Russian pop singer of Ukrainian origin and a former KVN participant. Born on July 2, 1982, in Uzhhorod. At the end of 2012, Yolka was recognized as the most frequently played artist on Russian radio stations. From 2010 to 2012, Yolka was a judge on the Ukrainian version of "The X Factor" on STB television.
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.
Attitude toward Ukraine prior to 2022
In 2013, the artist spoke out about the language issue and attitudes toward Ukrainian nationalism in an interview with "Pravda 24":
I was born in the westernmost point of Ukraine. Meaning, further west is only abroad. My hometown is multicultural to that degree. And never in my life did anyone give anyone a side-eye just because someone speaks another language. I visit Uzhhorod with my Moscow friends. And in reality, this is all greatly exaggerated, firstly. Secondly, let's understand clearly that good people exist everywhere, people who are not so good exist everywhere, and that doesn't really depend on the location.
Starting in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and the war in Donbas began, Yolka avoided discussing Ukraine in her interviews. She stopped mentioning her Ukrainian roots and asked interviewers not to bring up the subject of war.
Video: Yolka about Ukraine (excerpt from an interview with Shikhman)
In 2017, Yolka declared that she considers Moscow her home. She did not comment on Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
Yolka's stance on the war in Ukraine
Reaction to the full-scale invasion
Following the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Yolka canceled a concert, writing on Facebook: "I am sure everyone understands everything."
Career in Russia after 2022
Afterward, the singer adopted a stance of silence regarding the war in Ukraine. She continued performing concerts in Russia and paying taxes to the aggressor state.
In May 2022, Elizaveta Ivantsiv was added to the Myrotvorets database as a traitor to the Motherland and an accomplice to Russian-fascist invaders and terrorists.
Altering the lyrics of the song "Provence"
During a performance at the Golden Gramophone ceremony in October 2025 in Moscow, Yolka altered the chorus lyrics of her hit song "Provence", removing the mention of Kyiv's Boryspil Airport. Instead of the line "tomorrow at 7:22 I will be in Boryspil sitting on a plane thinking of the pilot," she sang: "tomorrow at 7:22 I will be flying to you, sitting on a plane thinking of the pilot."
Obtaining Russian citizenship
According to Russian state media reports (TASS, RIA Novosti), Yolka definitively solidified her status in the aggressor country by obtaining citizenship of the Russian Federation. The Uzhhorod native notified Russian authorities of holding a passport as early as 2024. The singer's Ukrainian passport had expired, and she was unable to obtain a new one due to the war. Consequently, Liza surrendered her Ukrainian citizenship in favor of Russian citizenship, making a definitive choice to live and work in Russia.
Conclusion
Despite the lack of public statements supporting the war, following the outbreak of the full-scale invasion Yolka continued pursuing her career in Russia, did not condemn Russian aggression, and later acquired Russian citizenship. At the same time, the singer has made no public statements endorsing the war or the Russian armed forces. It is for this reason that the editorial team classifies Yolka under the "Disputed" category.
Как то странно выходит. Другие уже теперь российские музыканты родом из Украины имеют статус "за войну", а у этой "спорные". Она свой выбор в пользу *аши сделала, вы это сами написали. Даже специально убрала Борисполь из песни. Да, может быть петь к ор*ам она не ездит, но и оппоизицонеркой её не назовёшь. Поэтому, пока её родная страна и город подвергаются ежедневным бомбардировкам - тут спорить нечего. Это молчаливая поддержка войны. Поэтому уберите из статуса спорные в статус молчит. Это будет больше отражать действительность.