Zelensky strips scandalous ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, devoted Putin fan, of Ukrainian citizenship
Ballet dancer Sergei Polunin was stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship by a presidential decree on Oct. 14, according to law enforcement.
The award-winning ballet dancer, who is originally from Kherson Oblast — one of the regions most devastated by Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine — previously held Ukrainian as well as Russian and Serbian citizenship.
Polunin, who is known to have a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin tattooed on his chest, has said in past interviews that he "always regarded himself as Russian."
Polunin has actively supported Russia's war against Ukraine, including the brief occupation of his native Kherson.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Oct. 14 that "appropriate decisions" had been taken regarding "the confirmed presence of Russian citizenship among certain individuals," but didn't refer to Polunin by name.
In addition to Polunin, Zelensky also stripped Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov of his Ukrainian citizenship after years of allegations that the local politician possessed a Russian passport, as well as former Ukrainian politician turned Russian collaborator Oleg Tsaryov.
Polunin, who shot to international fame for his appearance in Hozier's music video "Take Me to Church" and has had roles in major Hollywood films like "Red Sparrow" and "Murder on the Orient Express," has been no stranger to scandal.
Polunin was accused of substance abuse, as well as homophobic and sexist remarks, during his European career.
Polunin previously worked with the Royal Ballet in London and later as the director of the Sevastopol Opera and Ballet Theater and the acting head of the Sevastopol Academy of Choreography in Russian-occupied Crimea from December 2019 until the summer of 2024.
His dismissal from his roles in Russian-occupied Crimea came after he wrote in his since-deleted Telegram channel that he felt "very sorry for people" living in the heavily targeted village near Kherson, "where a generation of Polunins grew up, and my Russian grandfather built a small house with his own hands."
He urged Putin to end the war against Ukraine, adding that "the worst deal would be better than war."
In late 2024, Polunin announced that he was leaving Russia because his soul was "not in its place." It is unclear where he currently resides.
"My time in Russia ran out a long time ago, it seems at this moment that I have fulfilled my mission here," he wrote in a post on his since-deleted Telegram channel.
As of publication, Polunin has not responded to the Kyiv Independent's request for comment.
