"Iranian drones won't help you": Actor Vadim Dzyuba, who remains in Russia, recorded a poem for Putin.
Russian actor Vadim Dzyuba, who remains in the country, recorded a powerful poetic address to President Vladimir Putin. He filmed the video, which features his poetry reading, against the backdrop of the Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces in the Moscow region.
A poetic protest against the backdrop of a military temple
Vadim Dzyuba recorded his new address in the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region. The actor chose the Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces as the location for the video.
Iranian drones won't help you, Kalifornia and Grad rockets won't help you. They'll run out, your bullets. They'll trample you—I'll be glad.
The artist had previously published similar quatrains, filmed against the backdrop of the Moscow Kremlin. Specifically, in previous videos, Dzyuba asked, "Will you wash away the blood, Russia?" and reminded his followers that opposition leader Alexei Navalny wasn't afraid, meaning the country's citizens shouldn't be either.
Appeals by Russian actors and the subsequent "repentance"
However, Dzyuba isn't the only actor to publicly speak out against what's happening in the country. The day before, 26-year-old actor Alexei Yarmushchik made an anti-war statement. In his video message, he didn't recite poetry, but directly called on Putin to resign.
I don't want you to be my president! Dissolve the entire government! I don't want to watch your television. I don't think Crimea is ours. And that's not some grandiose phrase. Not a single one of my peers thinks that.
Consequently, the controversial video quickly went viral on social media, garnering over 1,5 million views and over 10 comments. However, immediately afterward, Yarmuschik posted a second video in which he radically altered his rhetoric. In it, the artist stated that he was greatly surprised by the positive reaction from people with opposing views.
I simply adore these people, I already love the government, I already somehow respect Vladimir Vladimirovich, you see. I'm proud to have been born in this country.
As a result, despite such instances of colleagues suddenly changing their positions, Vadim Dzyuba continues to publish protest poetry while remaining in Russia.
