‘Russia’s Rambo’ put on Putin’s hit list after pledging support for Ukraine

One of Vladimir Putin's favourite actors is in deep water after he slammed Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Artur Smolyaninov, known as "Russia's Rambo" for his illustrious career appearing in action films, slammed the ongoing war in an interview with local publication Novaya Gazeta, news.com.au reported.

"I feel nothing but hatred to the people on the [Russian] side of the frontline," he told the outlet.

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Smolyaninov, 39, starred in the 2005 film Devyataya Rota, or The 9th Company, set during the Soviet-Afghan war, which quickly became one of Putin's favourite flicks.

The warmonger publicly came out in support of the movie, claiming it "takes the soul" and was "very strong".

Putin liked the movie so much that he invited the entire cast and crew to his private residence that year.

But it seems the actor's once-cordial relationship with Russia's dictator has taken a turn for the worse after he labelled the invasion a "catastrophe".

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Smolyaninov first started speaking out against the invasion of Ukraine a few months ago and has been living in exile ever since he recently fled Russia on foot.

Last October, the actor was fined for discrediting Russia's military, according to CNN.

But in spite of the backlash, the movie star still hasn't stopped speaking out about his "hatred" of the invasion, which has been ongoing since February 2022.

"If I were there on the ground, there’d be no mercy," he said, before revealing that one of his former colleagues is currently fighting on the front line.

“Would I shoot him? Without any doubt," he told Novaya Gazeta.

"Do I keep my options to go fight for Ukraine open? Absolutely! This is the only way for me.

"And if I were to go to this war, I would only fight for Ukraine," he added.

Smolyaninov’s comments have not been without consequence – the Russian Ministry of Justice has classified him as a foreign agent and the nation's Investigative Committee chair Alexander Bastrykin ordered a criminal case against him after Smolyaninov “made a series of statements against Russia in an interview to a Western publication”.

Eastern European media outlet NEXTA also reported that authorities are contemplating adding the title "traitor" to films featuring any actors who have criticised the Ukraine war, an idea that was thought up following Smolyaninov's interview.

But speaking to independent news website Meduza about his situation, the actor didn't stop slamming his homeland.

"For me, the laws of this state do not exist," he said.

"They, like the state itself, are inherently criminal, which means that have neither moral nor legal force."

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