Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said late on August 27 that Russian singers Stas Mikhailov, Filipp Kirkorov, and Lyusya Chebotina, who openly supported Russia's invasion of Ukraine, will perform at Kyrgyzstan's Independence Day celebrations on August 31. There has been opposition to the performances because of the singers' support for Russia's war in Ukraine, as many say it violates another former Soviet republic's sovereignty and independence. Protesters also demanded authorities reveal how much the Russian entertainers will be paid. Japarov, however, said the performances are being done for free. Earlier in the day, Culture Minister Altynbek Maksutov also defended the Russian singers' participation in the celebrations. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, click here.
Kyrgyz President Says Russian Singers To Perform For Free On Independence Day
Sadyr Japarov (file photo)