"Zveri" is a Russian pop-rock band founded by Roman Bilyk in 2001. Winner of the MTV Russia Award and the "Debut" prize. At the Muz-TV Awards, the band won the "Best Rock Band" category 9 times. Roma Zver (Bilyk) has Ukrainian roots through his father. He was born in Taganrog, but spent 4 years of his childhood in Ukrainian Mariupol.
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.
Civic stance before the full-scale war
In 2019, Roman participated in recording a song in support of those arrested in the «Novoe Velichie» (New Greatness) case.
In 2020, he spoke out against voting on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
He spoke in defense of director Kirill Serebrennikov during his prosecution in the «Seventh Studio» case, stating: «Through this trial, we see how the authorities treat us. We are nobodies to them.»
Following Russia's annexation of Crimea, Roman refrained from performing concerts on the peninsula, stating that he did not want to create conflict over performances in an «uneasy territory».
The position of the band Zveri on the war in Ukraine
Anti-war statement
On February 28, 2022, the musicians spoke out against the Russian full-scale invasion, publishing a post on Facebook:
The band Zveri is against the war! Like all sensible people, we are opposed to any military action. Military actions must be stopped as soon as possible and issues must be resolved exclusively at the negotiating table.
This post was soon deleted, and Roman Bilyk himself never publicly explained the subsequent reversal of his position.
Concert cancellations and pressure
In May 2023, the band's concert on Palace Square as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was canceled. Shortly before that, United Russia deputy Konstantin Chebykin submitted a denunciation demanding an investigation of Roma Zver for potentially financing the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As a result, the band was replaced by «Chizh & Co».
Trip to Donbas and addition to Myrotvorets
On August 21, 2023, «war correspondent» Semyon Pegov published a video showing members of the band Zveri — Bilyk and Osipov performing for Russian military personnel in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast of Ukraine (the self-proclaimed «DPR»).
Zveri guitarist German Osipov had traveled to the «DPR» back in 2022, appearing in a video published on the channel of singer Yulia Chicherina (who fiercely supports the self-proclaimed Donetsk republics and Russia's invasion of Ukraine), where he accompanied the singer on guitar.
In August 2023, Roman Bilyk was entered into the database of the Myrotvorets center for an assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and complicity in the crimes of the Russian authorities against Ukraine and its citizens.
Song about the trip to the «DPR» and public reaction
Bilyk's trip to Donbas sparked a wave of indignation among fans and the anti-war public. In response to the criticism, on August 28, 2023, the musician released an ironic song in which he complained about condemnation from colleagues and listeners:
With footage filmed, shit flying from all sides — full-on fan... The boys sang along softly, so weary... Guys, come visit more often.
Celebrities on Roma Zver's stance
Judging by his surname, he has kh**hol admixture. At the beginning of the SMO, he wrote on his blog that he was against any war. And now he suddenly shows up in Donbas. And sings to the fighters. And the fighters are glad to see him. <…> I want to believe in his sincerity.
One can give a chance to correct what has been botched. I consider Roma talented from a creative standpoint. From a human standpoint, I don't know what to say about him. If we take my civic stance, I believe that showing how much he changed his stance can only be done in the special operation zone. I think it's worth giving a chance. Only by meeting soldiers face-to-face can one understand what is happening and undergo the procedure of cleansing from the filth into which he stumbled.
Roma, sorry, I've got a flight, stuff to do, stuff to do, stuff to do», Khlyvnyuk joked with a drone in his hands while serving on the frontline.
You always had a «healthy» stance. We could have talked for a long time about Mariupol. About the city that was razed to the ground by those for whom you and your balalaika player were singing songs. What are they doing to you? It's a mystery... Yes. That happens... While «girls and boys are dancing», you, Roma, completely sh*t yourself... Live with that, rocker.
As they say in the Orthodox tradition, a person could have erred, and then realized everything — and went to support the guys. Perhaps previously he didn't understand what was going on. Especially since his project could collapse if there are no concerts. God grant that he remains in this same stance and doesn't change shoes [flip-flop] in mid-air.
Рома ты обычный о*к. Недавно дочка спросила про музику которую я слушала, вспомнила про тебя про твои клипы, а тут даже стыдно стало когда показала твои клип. Твои пи*р войска разбомбили драм театр у**или кучу детей и их близких, а ты поешь песенки этим у*людкам. Я желаю тебе и твоим детям пережить то (или не пережить это уж как выйдет), что пришлось Мариупольским деткам и их близким... Пусть каждая у*итая и замученная душа приходит к тебе и твоей семьи каждую ночь что б вы т*ари не спали ни на этом ни на том свете. Земля вам су**ам бетоном