INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
An exiled Russian war motion picture star faces criminal charges over his criticism of Russias military project in Ukraine,
authoritiesannounced Monday.Actor Artur Smolyaninov made a series of declarations against Russia in an interview to a Western publication,
Russias Investigative Committee, which probes major criminal offenses, said in a brief statement.It did not determine the publication or
specify which charges Smolyaninov faces.But in an interview released Friday with the independent Novaya Gazeta Europe news website,
Smolyaninov stated: If I went to this war, then only on the side of Ukraine
Its not even on the side of Ukraine for me: Its on the side of my bros who have been attacked by my other bros for nothing, he informed
Novaya Gazeta Europe, which is blocked inside Russia.The actors pro-Ukraine remarks raised a storm amongst Russian lawmakers, a number of
whom have called on investigative authorities to pursue criminal charges against him.Smolyaninov, 39, increased to popularity in Russia for
his representation of a Soviet soldier during the Afghan war in director Fyodor Bondarchuks 2005 ticket office hit The 9th Company
President Vladimir Putin, who purchased Russian soldiers to attack Ukraine in February 2022, had actually applauded the film for being
On Monday, Putins representative Dmitry Peskov stated the Kremlin doesnt believe anything excellent about this actors words
Smolyaninov was dropped from a number of state-funded movie jobs in Russia after voicing his opposition to the invasion of Ukraine in April
He was charged with discrediting the Russian army in October 2022 for anti-war remarks made in an unspecified interview and fined 30,000
He has since then lived in European Union and NATO member Latvia.In his Novaya Gazeta Europe interview, Smolyaninov said he would no doubt
shoot his The 9th Company co-star who was apparently deployed with the Russian armed force in Ukraine.
