"We Are All at War": Nina Naboka on Artist Exemptions and Carefree Leisure in the Rear

Nina Naboka, a People's Artist of Ukraine, stage and television actress, and star of the series "Catch the Kaidash," gave an exclusive interview to the Wave edition of RBC-Ukraine, commenting on one of the most pressing topics of wartime — the exemption status for cultural figures. The actress clearly distinguished between two issues: the fact of receiving an exemption and how people remaining in the rear behave, as well as how much they realize their responsibility for the common fight against the aggressor.

Exemption is not a problem, but a necessity

According to Naboka, obtaining an exemption for actors is not a problem in itself. She emphasized that during a war, the country cannot stop: the economy and social sphere must continue to function, and representatives of culture must fulfill their professional role. "You know, I have a normal attitude towards exemptions. It's normal because someone needs to work and pay taxes, and everything needs to be done. Life should not cease to exist," the actress explained. Thus, for Naboka, exemption is a tool that allows for the preservation of jobs and professional activity, rather than a privilege.

Outrage over public carefree leisure in the rear

A much harsher reaction from the actress is provoked by another phenomenon — the public display of carefree leisure by those who are in the rear. Naboka notes that this is perceived particularly sharply against the backdrop of soldiers who are on the front lines at that very moment. "This is when the war is going on, literally half the war has passed, and they show this. The guys see it! I write: 'Guys, where did you train those muscles? Are you going to go after Putin?'" she said. For the actress, the key is not only the physical location of a person but also their behavior and whether they are helping the defenders.

Call to direct funds to help the military

Naboka is convinced that the army can and must be supported even from the rear. She calls on people not to spend all their money on ordinary entertainment but to direct a part of it to help the defenders. "We are all at war. I am not in the trenches, but I must fight. Don't drink it on coffee, but throw a twenty there, help the guys! Don't waste it in the bar in the evening, you understand, give it to the guys!" the actress emphasizes. According to her, even small sums, collected on a societal scale, matter, whereas the display of extravagant leisure hurts those who are fighting.

"Some are fighting, while others are walking around — that is terrible"

Summarizing her position, Nina Naboka called the worst situation one in which part of society continues to live as if there is no war. "Here is what is terrible: some are fighting, while others are walking around. We are all at war, we all have a war, we are on the front lines. Here we are sitting with you — we are on the front lines. It cannot be like this," she concluded. Thus, the actress formulates a moral imperative: in wartime conditions, responsibility for the common struggle is borne by everyone, regardless of whether they are on the front line or in the rear.