Singer faces lengthy sentence for war propaganda
Russian singer Nikolai Baskov has been issued a new suspicion in Ukraine. The SBU and the Office of the Prosecutor General have gathered additional evidence against the Kremlin propagandist.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the Security Service of Ukraine on Telegram and the website of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Read also: War propaganda. How Russia lies to the world about Ukraine and who believes its myths
According to the investigation, Baskov has publicly supported the occupation of Ukrainian territories since 2014. Following the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022, he significantly intensified his activities in support of the Russian leadership and military.
The investigation has documented that the artist systematically disseminated propaganda materials through federal TV channels in Russia, social media, during concerts, and in interviews.
In particular, on his Instagram, he justified Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, promoting narratives about the supposed “legitimacy” of the invasion and the “necessity” of changing Ukraine’s territorial borders. In public speeches and comments, Baskov also spread manipulative claims regarding the historical ownership of Ukrainian territories and used hostile rhetoric.
Among the recorded statements:
- “I understood what was happening, I saw… my friends… saw these battalions, this swastika, saw what was happening to people.”;
- “I understand that we are not at war with Ukraine, we are at war with the Western world that hates us…”;
- “…they want to completely erase… Russian history, Russian culture, and us altogether…”;
- “…actively fighting in the information war… and doing it out of a call of the heart and from a pure soul”;
- “In our formidable sacred war…”.
It has also been established that Baskov publicly stated his intention to pay Russian soldiers for the destruction of Ukrainian equipment. Subsequently, he implemented this initiative and personally handed over millions of rubles.
As clarified by the SBU, the singer is part of a circle of artists close to the Kremlin and actively supports Russian aggression, the annexation of Crimea, and violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
It has also been documented that in 2023, during the international economic forum in St. Petersburg, Baskov, along with other propagandists, presented cash certificates to Russian soldiers for the destruction of Ukrainian tanks.
Additionally, he regularly appeared in live broadcasts on Russian TV channels, calling for taking up arms and continuing the war against Ukraine.
The investigation has established that Baskov repeatedly visited the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where he held concerts in support of militants.
He also conducted provocative streams on Instagram and YouTube, where he discredited Ukrainians and justified the crimes of Russian soldiers.
Baskov has been issued suspicion on the following charges:
- Part 2 of Article 110 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – calls for changing the borders of Ukraine with incitement to hostility;
- Part 1 of Article 110-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – financing actions aimed at changing borders;
- Article 436 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – public calls for aggressive war;
- Part 3 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – repeated justification of Russia’s aggression using media.
For this, the singer faces a lengthy prison sentence.
Suspicions against Russian singers
Recall that earlier, Russian singer-propagandist Timur Yunusov, better known as Timati, was accused of crimes against Ukraine.
He was notified of suspicion in absentia, and the SBU announced a search for the Russian rapper.
Additionally, another Russian artist, Yaroslav Dronov, better known by the stage name Shaman, was also notified of suspicion.
He is suspected of publicly supporting and promoting the full-scale war against Ukraine.
Another suspicion was issued to Russian singer-propagandist Grigory Leps.
