Yuri Shevchuk

Yuri Shevchuk, leader of the DDT group, which openly opposes Russian military special operations in Ukraine (an administrative lawsuit has been filed against him for discrediting the Russian Armed Forces), gave an interview to Katerina Gordeeva for the YouTube channel Tell Gordeeva. . Key citations collected.

About the artists and celebrities who supported the special operation in Ukraine

They chose this path. I’ve learned a lot, my attitude towards power has changed drastically. Only 5-6 groups agreed to participate in these concerts, while others refused. That also says something.

Why it is worth continuing to give concerts in Russia

Now we have to play in Russia because there are enough peacekeepers in the West but not enough here. It was the hardest hit when the concerts were closed to us because we were deprived of work. Important work, necessary. It’s not about money – we are forbidden to fulfill our duty to the country, to share our warmth with people. You still need to play and talk to people. Seriously and calmly. More sincere. We will probably continue to experience these concerts.

cancellation of concerts

We held the first DDT concert in Ufa in May 1982 at the Oil Institute. “DDT” was the first and last concert of the Ufa meeting. After that, we were banned and completely shut down. And there “Don’t shoot!” We sang the song. Only. Peace, love, rock and roll. And 40 years later – May, after a concert and concert in Ufa, the same thing we are closed. Look, that’s not mysticism, is it? Exactly 40 years have passed – a whole life. This shows that we’re cool, essentially unchanged. We get confused at times that we don’t lie to our audience and that’s why.

We would give 40 or 50 concerts and still play, because at first it was somehow uncomfortable, awkward, and then, when I saw how people were happy for each other, I think there were a lot of them … Russia needs the DDT group right now. All the halls where we performed, they were all against special operations.

about russians

Russians are not slaves. We are just occupied. They shoot us with “Grad” and propaganda mines, cut us with the most brutal laws, kill our memory, mind, soul every day. But we endure, we stand, and there are heroes among us who would never call themselves slaves.

Katerina Gordeeva and Yuri Shevchuk

On the attitude of the Russians to special operations

Calm tries not to think about it, to remove it from his soul, to throw it out of his head. Now on Nevsky Prospekt there are a lot of cheerful, beautiful, magnificently dressed people, tourists. She smiles at the sun, she flies. And ***** (special transactions. – Approx. ed.) No.

***** (special ops. – Ed.) here, St. Petersburg, people will be different. I’m just afraid of the thought that it might teach them to love and appreciate the world. Think of others as you think of yourself. Think of other children as your own. Think of other cities in the same way as your own city.

About education level

Qualifications for education have dropped drastically. I’m talking about tiktokers who make these stupid videos with millions of views. Without training, nothing happens, and every day we spend billions on ***** (special ops. – Approximate edition). If you invest in education, everything changes. It is necessary to raise the social level in the country.

About leaving the country

I don’t want to leave here, but they can fire me, they can fire me. Or create conditions that will be unbearable. I’m going somewhere by the sea in the state.