Popular Ukrainian singer Oleg Vinnik, who has been living in Germany since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, has openly spoken for the first time about the reasons for his absence from his homeland. In an interview with the YouTube channel "Beskrovny Podcast," cited by RBC-Ukraine, the artist admitted that his decision is dictated not only by legal nuances but also by serious concerns for his personal safety.
Fear of losing his family
Vinnik emphasized that his departure from Ukraine was completely legal. At the time of crossing the border, he had already been a resident of Germany for 25 years, which gave him the full right to be in the country. However, according to the musician, the main reason keeping him from returning lies in the uncertainty of the future. The artist fears that if he comes to Ukraine, he will no longer be able to return to his family in Germany.
"I can come, but it seems to me that I won't be able to go back. I am Ukrainian, but I am a resident of Germany," Vinnik explained, highlighting the accents in his dual situation.
Threats and the desire for peace
The singer paid special attention to the atmosphere that has formed around his name. He admitted that he has been receiving threats lately, which forces him to reconsider any plans to return. Vinnik expressed a desire to live peacefully, without putting himself and his loved ones at risk.
"I don't want to talk much about this, there are threats... I want to live peacefully so that my family lives peacefully. I don't want to get into a time where you are threatened. It's somehow inhumane and undeserved. Time will tell," the artist noted.
Criticism and controversy
Since the beginning of the war, Oleg Vinnik's name has been the subject of constant debate. The public has criticized him for moving, his silence in the first days of the invasion, and the continued performance of Russian-language songs. The situation was exacerbated by statements from the artist's former producer, Alexander Gorbenko, who questioned the circumstances of the singer's departure and his words about helping Ukrainian soldiers. Despite the resonance, Vinnik himself remains in Germany, waiting for the situation to stabilize.
