Artists Leaving Russia After SVO Start Face Potential Penalties Explained
In recent news, there have been proposals suggesting the deprivation of rights and potential stripping of citizenship for artists who have left Russia and criticised the special operation. Yuri Belousov, CEO of the media holding SMI2, and Vitaly Borodin, head of the Federal Project on Security and Anti-Corruption, have put forth a controversial proposal known as "civil death" for these foreign agent musicians.
According to the proposals, artists who left Russia and criticised the special operation would face severe consequences, including the seizure of property, the opening of criminal cases, and the revocation of passports. Even if the property is registered to relatives or children, Borodin suggests it could be seized. Moreover, Borodin refers to these artists as "judases."
However, as of August 2025, there is no publicly available or official confirmation that amendments to the Russian Constitution have been made or proposed to specifically revoke citizenship from artists criticising the special operation or to impose "civil death" (a status equating to legal extinction) for foreign agent musicians.
The latest laws from July 2025 mainly focus on administrative matters such as registration procedures for foreign nationals, increases in fees for residency registration and vehicle registration, and broader legal status updates on foreign nationals and stateless persons in Russia. None of these laws mention constitutional amendments targeting artists or measures to revoke citizenship based on political criticism or foreign agent status.
It is important to note that the aim of the proposal is to deprive these artists of income in Russia and reduce their influence on its residents. However, the article does not provide any information about the legal or ethical implications of this proposal, the current status or reaction to this proposal, the consequences if the proposal is not followed, or why these specific artists are jobless.
The article title suggests that there are Russian artists who left Russia and criticised the special operation and are now jobless, but the article does not provide specific information about which artists are jobless.
These proposals have sparked debate and concern among artists, human rights advocates, and the international community, highlighting the ongoing tension between artistic freedom and political criticism in Russia. As the situation develops, it is crucial to monitor any updates regarding these proposals and their potential impact on the artistic community in Russia.
Sports organizations are contemplating whether to implement a policy-and-legislation that mirrors Russia's "civil death" proposal, potentially imposing restrictions or bans on Russian athletes who criticize their country's politics, particularly regarding the special operation.
The ongoing debate surrounding artistic freedom and political criticism in Russia has raised questions about whether similar concerns will extend to the realm of general news, as journalists may face repercussions for their coverage of controversial issues.
