While the Russian invasion of February 2022 sparked a burst of anti-war musical creativity in Ukraine, it’s been a different story in Russia, where musical output criticising the war has been meagre.
“There is no comparison with what is happening in Ukraine,” said Russian music critic Artemy Troitsky. “Hundreds of songs have been created there, in genres ranging from folk-patriotic to the most fashionable ones, such as electronic, industrial or indie pop. Despite the fact that rockets are flying and bombs are falling, the surge of inspiration is huge!”
Explaining why musicians in Ukraine have produced many more songs about the war than their counterparts in Russia, Troitsky said: “I think the point is that a just war inspires creative people, while a vile, dirty, predatory one inspires a depressing feeling.”
