Russian actor Artur Smolyaninov, once the star of one of President Vladimir Putin’s favorite films, now finds himself labeled a “foreign agent” and under criminal investigation.
Smolyaninov gained fame for his role in “Devyataya Rota” (The 9th Company), a 2005 Russian feature film where he portrayed the last soldier standing in a battle against Afghan insurgents during the Soviet occupation. He was often compared to the American action hero Rambo, played by Sylvester Stallone.
Today, however, Smolyaninov is in exile and has publicly stated his readiness to fight for Ukraine against Russian forces. In a recent interview with Novaya Gazeta, he expressed his strong feelings: “I feel nothing but hatred for those on the Russian side of the frontline. If I were there, there’d be no mercy.”
He recounted how a former colleague had joined the Russian side, and when asked if he would shoot him, Smolyaninov responded without hesitation, “Absolutely! Do I keep my options to fight for Ukraine open? Yes, this is the only path for me. If I go to war, it will be for Ukraine.”
Following these remarks, the Russian Ministry of Justice quickly classified Smolyaninov as a foreign agent. Alexander Bastrykin, head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, ordered a criminal case to be opened against him.
Smolyaninov has been a vocal critic of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. He recently released a reworked version of the Soviet-era song “Temnaya Noch” (Dark Night), with pointed lyrics describing the dire conditions in Ukraine due to the conflict.
The song includes lines about power outages in maternity homes, children in shelters, and the destruction of schools and hospitals. Another verse takes aim at Kremlin insiders, referencing a “Führer” hiding in a bunker and a “bald little cook,” a jab at Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner private military company.
Last summer, while still in Russia, Smolyaninov called the war “a catastrophe, everything collapsed: ashes, smoke, stench, tears.” In October, a Moscow court fined him 30,000 rubles (about $430) for discrediting the Russian armed forces. He left Russia shortly thereafter and is now believed to be in Latvia.
Recalling his escape, Smolyaninov described crossing the Russian border into Norway on foot: “You walk 30 meters, and the people in front of you are completely different. They are so soft.
Even their look is different.” “Devyataya Rota” was immensely popular, and Putin himself hosted the actors and crew, including Smolyaninov, at his residence in November 2005 for a special screening.
At the time, Putin praised the film for its realistic portrayal of war and its impact on soldiers, saying, “The film is very strong, a real serious depiction of war and the people who found themselves in extreme conditions.”
In recent days, the Russian Justice Ministry has added several others to its list of foreign agents, including music critic Artemy Troitsky and multiple journalists. According to Russian state news agency TASS, these additions were made under Article 7 of Russian law, which deals with controlling the activities of individuals under foreign influence.
Additionally, two prominent actors, Dmitry Nazarov and Olga Vasilyeva, were fired from the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater for their anti-war stance. Artistic director Konstantin Khabensky accused them of “anti-Russian sentiments,” and their dismissal was confirmed by state news agency TASS, although no specific reason was provided.