Because of Ukraine: Russia eliminated the career of the great Russian actor from "Kitchen" Dmitry Nagiyev

The career of Dmitry Nagieev, a prominent Russian actor and television host known for his role in the popular show "Kitchen," has effectively been erased from public life in Russia following a series of critical statements he made about the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to reports from multiple sources, Nagieev's presence in the media, advertising, and entertainment industry has been systematically removed, leaving him as a virtual ghost in the country where he once held significant influence.

Nagieev's decline began after comments he made during the premiere of the film "Yolki 12" in December 2025. At the event, when asked about the popularity of war-themed films, he remarked that audiences were tired of the abundance of military movies, calling them "boring and dirty." He contrasted this with the film "Yolki," which offers an illusion of a peaceful and happy life. When questioned about personal adventures over the past year, he responded with a pointed reference to the fourth year of the war, asking, "What adventures have happened in my life?" These remarks, though seemingly indirect, were interpreted by some as criticism of the war effort and the government's handling of it.

Following these comments, Dmitry Gulyev, a member of the United Russia party in the Kursk Regional Duma and a participant in the invasion of Ukraine, submitted formal complaints to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Culture. In his letter, Gulyev accused Nagieev of being a "tired figure who deliberately distances himself from the country" and described him as a person who "barks with a smug aura." The deputy claimed that Nagieev had fled responsibility like a child and spends most of his time abroad. He also noted that residents of the Kursk region, including members of the special military operation (SVO), had expressed concerns about Nagieev's statements.

According to the Telegram channel "Ostorojno, Novosti," the complaint was directly linked to Nagieev's comments at the premiere of "Yolki-12." Gulyev stated that he received complaints from citizens in the Kursk region, including SVO participants, who were worried about Nagieev’s statements. Despite this, Nagieev has not made direct public statements against the war itself, but his previous comments and social media posts have been interpreted by many as anti-war sentiments.

This is not the first time Nagieev has spoken critically about the Russian government. In 2018, he gave an interview to Yuri Dud in which he advocated for limiting presidential terms, stating, "There should be written limits on how many times one can serve in power... I don’t think you should serve in power as often as you want." In March 2022, shortly after Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Nagieev posted a video to the song "Train on Fires" by Boris Grebenshchikov with the text: "I love you, despite the bitter taste of lost hopes... As my grandfather used to say before communion: 'What did I do, old man?'"

Later that year, he stated he would not leave Russia, but in April he posted a black-and-white photo with the caption "Maybe that's enough." In early 2023, he refused to host the Muz-TV awards ceremony, saying, "It will come, we will work on the issue... But for now, as my grandfather said: 'Nothing for you, no honey fair in Luzhniki.'"

In early 2026, Nagieev appeared in the UAE with Ukrainian blogger Natalia Lubimova, who was collecting funds for the Ukrainian armed forces, which caused outrage among Z-patriots. Actress Yana Poplavskaya viewed this as support for the Ukrainian army. During an interview with Yuri Dud, Nagieev expressed dissatisfaction with Putin’s regime and the political situation in Russia overall, asking, "Do you understand the slogans 'To Berlin,' just like 'We Can Do It Again'? What is this, what is this at all? Who are you, that you want to repeat this? When I was a child, veterans quietly drank on Victory Day, emphasizing only one phrase: 'So there is no war.' And suddenly you make a slogan 'To Berlin,' '41-45, we can do it again... What's wrong with you, kid?'"

When asked, "What would you say to Putin?" Nagieev answered succinctly: "How long?"

Despite not making explicit public statements about the war in Ukraine, Nagieev has posted several messages on social media that suggest his position on the conflict. Although he has not directly criticized the war, many fans and media outlets interpret his posts and statements as anti-war.

Since Nagieev's comments at the premiere of "Yolki 12," he has essentially been placed on a blacklist in Russia. By March 2026, he had been removed from all billboards, his advertising contracts had been terminated, and he had been removed from television programs and excluded from the final cast of "The King of My Love."

Meanwhile, in a separate development, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, commented on Finland's decision to lift the ban on importing and storing nuclear weapons. She stated that this move would require Russia to take additional political and military measures. Zakharova criticized Finland's shift from its previously balanced and rational policy of non-alignment with military alliances, noting that Finland's decision to join NATO had transformed the country into a tool of NATO's nuclear ambitions.

Zakharova also addressed Armenia's strategic choice between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union (EU), urging the Armenian government to make a swift decision. Additionally, she criticized the corruption within the Kyiv regime, stating that it was deeply entrenched in the system.

In another development, Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the "Revival" party, spoke at a summit of the "Europe of Sovereign Nations" party in Berlin. He emphasized the need for a complete renegotiation of the EU to achieve a true European civilization, highlighting that without Russia, Europe could not exist. He also addressed accusations that "Revival" is anti-European, stating that such claims come from parties with no real connection to Europe. Kostadinov emphasized that "Revival" is one of the leading factors in the European Parliament and that the group has been working towards creating a unified European movement under the banner of "Europe of Sovereign Nations."

These developments reflect the complex geopolitical landscape in Europe, where tensions between Russia and Western countries continue to escalate, while internal debates within European nations about their future direction persist.