(Credit: Tim Osipov)

Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin has called out Anna Netrebko for condemning the war in Ukraine.

The Russian politician said in a statement on Friday, April 1, that all state employees who criticized Russia should leave their leadership positions. “The leader said that those who “have betrayed the state, must leave the leadership positions in the budgetary institutions of culture, education, health, and other areas. It is petty to behave in such a way in relation to our soldiers and officers who defend the country. We will definitely ask ministers and insist on personnel decisions.” In his statement, the politician called out Netrebko, who condemned the war on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

Netrebko was named People’s Artist of Russia in 2008 and in 2004 was awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation.

The soprano’s Russian concert at the State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Novosibirsk was canceled on June 2 after she criticized the Russian war.

Other Russian figures who have criticized the war include Vladimir Urpin from the Bolshoi Theatre and Russian Director Kirill Serebrennikov, who was forced into exile.