The publication Styler published an article listing artists who were born in Ukraine but built their careers in Russia for many years and continued working there after 24 February 2022. The selection includes Taisiya Povaliy, Ani Lorak, Regina Todorchenko, Anna Asti, Yury Bardash, Misha Marvin, Antonina Paperna, Natasha Koroleva, Lolita Millyavskaya and Anna Sedokova. According to the authors, the common thread in these biographies is the absence of public condemnation of the Russian invasion and the continuation of professional activity within the Russian media space.
Who these artists are and where they were born
All the listed performers have Ukrainian roots: Povaliy was born in Shamraivka in Kyiv Oblast, Ani Lorak (Karolina Kuyek) — in Kitzman in Chernivtsi Oblast, Regina Todorchenko — in Odesa, Anna Asti (Anna Dzyuba) — in Cherkasy, Yury Bardash — in Alchevsk in Luhansk Oblast, Misha Marvin (Mikhail Reshetnyak) — in Chernivtsi, Antonina Paperna — in Kyiv, Natasha Koroleva (Natalia Poryvai) — in Kyiv, Lolita Millyavskaya — in Mukachevo in Zakarpattia Oblast, Anna Sedokova — in Kyiv. At the same time, according to Styler, the main part of their professional careers was shaped precisely in Russia.
Russian citizenship and Ukrainian sanctions
The article notes that a number of artists obtained Russian citizenship after the start of the full-scale invasion: Taisiya Povaliy — in 2023, Anna Asti — according to reports in Russian media in 2023, Yury Bardash — in 2024, and data on Regina Todorchenko's Russian citizenship appeared in Russian registries in 2024. Ukrainian authorities included, in particular, Povaliy in sanctions lists, and in 2022 Todorchenko, Ani Lorak and Anna Sedokova were also placed under sanctions.
Position after 24 February 2022
According to Styler, the artists' reactions after the start of the war varied: Povaliy, according to the publication, publicly repeated Kremlin narratives and took part in propaganda events, Bardash openly called on Ukraine to capitulate and moved to Russia, Lolita Millyavskaya demonstrated loyalty to Russia in her statements. Ani Lorak, by contrast, in 2023 stated a position of "not paying attention" to the situation, while Paperna and a number of other performers did not speak publicly. At the same time, in 2026, according to posters, some of them (including Asti and Koroleva) continue to plan concerts in Russian cities, although, according to the publication, some of Lorak's performances in Russia were cancelled.
Contradictory data
The sources contain inconsistencies in characterizing the artists' positions and in the dating. On the one hand, Styler describes the behaviour of some performers as active support for Russian policy (Povaliy, Bardash, Millyavskaya), while on the other it records silence or neutral formulations (Lorak, Paperna, Asti in the early years). The years of obtaining citizenship also differ, from 2023 (Povaliy, Asti) to 2024 (Bardash, Todorchenko), which may reflect both real differences in chronology and the difference in when the data became publicly available. In addition, the fact-check relies predominantly on a single primary source (Styler); the second provided source (1prime.ru) is devoted to a different event — a statement about the circus festival "Idol" in Moscow with the participation of artists from Ukraine — and does not directly confirm the composition of the listed performers.
Context and assessment
The material is editorial in nature: formulations such as "working on Russia's taxes" are the publication's assessment, not a neutral fact. At the same time, the basic biographical data (places of birth, relocations, inclusion in sanctions lists) are consistent with publicly known information. It is important for the reader to distinguish between confirmed facts (birth in Ukraine, living and working in Russia, sanctions) and the editorial interpretation of their public positions, which may vary depending on the source.
