Ukrainian music producer Vadym Lysytsia has spoken in defense of pop performers Svitlana Loboda, Potap and Nastya Kamenskykh over their continued Russian language performances. Lysytsia, who previously collaborated with all three artists, addressed the ongoing backlash surrounding their work during an interview with the Ukrainian outlet Blik.ua.
The three singers have faced sharp public criticism in Ukraine for maintaining Russian-language repertoires and remaining largely silent about the ongoing war in their homeland. Lysytsia stated that while he understands the public anger, the commercial reality of their fan base shapes their choices.
Addressing Loboda specifically, Lysytsia emphasized that the singer had demonstrated her civic stance through direct financial support. He said she spent her own money to assist Ukrainian military personnel and civilians who lost their homes during the conflict. For that reason, he explained that he holds no personal grievances against her.
Questions over language and Russian television appearances
Despite his support for her charitable efforts, Lysytsia expressed confusion over why Loboda continues to sing in Russian. He noted that although she releases Ukrainian-language songs, Russian remains present in her repertoire. He suggested she may feel compelled to use the language because her primary audience remains Russian-speaking.
Lysytsia also acknowledged why the Ukrainian public resists her public return. He pointed to her previous live television broadcasts with host Andrey Malakhov on Russia's Channel One. While noting that claims of her being persecuted at the time were true, Lysytsia insisted he was not attempting to defend her television appearances.
Loboda is a prominent Ukrainian pop singer who represented Ukraine at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. Before the 2022 invasion, she built a lucrative career centered in the Russian music industry. Channel One is Russia's principal state-owned television network, where Malakhov hosted flagship entertainment talk shows.
Explaining the strategy behind Potap and Nastya
Turning to the duo Potap and Nastya Kamenskykh, Lysytsia explained that their former fan base was predominantly Russian-speaking. He said the artists are attempting complex maneuvers to preserve their careers, performing what he called aerial somersaults to maintain a future in the industry. He clarified that he was explaining their operational methods rather than offering an excuse for them.
According to Lysytsia, that commercial strategy explains why the duo initially announced a divorce before publicizing a reunion. He stated that the pair appear completely unaware of current conditions inside Ukraine. He added that he occasionally speaks with Oleksiy Potapenko, known professionally as Potap, to convey the reality of life in the country.
Potap and Nastya Kamenskykh formed their popular pop duo in Kyiv in 2006, achieving widespread commercial success across Russian-speaking markets in Eastern Europe. The pair later married and launched separate solo projects alongside their joint brand.
Refusal to produce Russian language material
During discussions about new material for Potap and Nastya, Lysytsia recalled telling Potap that neither he nor any of his musical colleagues would agree to work on Russian-language songs. He stated that no musician living in Ukraine would take on such work today. He remarked that while the duo is doing what they can to survive professionally, their actions appear cringe-worthy to people residing in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian news agency UNIAN previously reported that recent attempts by Potap and Nastya Kamenskykh to stage a career return resulted in a public scandal.
