Vilnius municipality sees no threat from Russian actor’s visit, citing alignment with Lithuania’s interests

Vilnius city municipality has stated it does not consider Russian actor Artūrs Smoljaninovs a security risk, despite his inclusion on a Ukrainian watchlist, as his public stance opposes Russia’s war in Ukraine, LRT reports.

In a response to the Lithuanian national news agency ELTA, the municipality said its assessment found no indication that Smoljaninovs’ upcoming performance in Vilnius would threaten national security. Officials noted that the actor, who fled Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has openly criticised Moscow’s aggression and expressed support for Kyiv.

“Based on the data collected by Vilnius municipality’s compliance and resilience division, this individual’s tour in Lithuania should not pose a national security threat, as his public position and activities align with Lithuania’s foreign and security policy interests—supporting Ukraine and opposing Russian aggression,” the statement read.

The municipality acknowledged that Lithuania’s State Security Department (VSD) holds primary responsibility for security assessments but added that, to date, Smoljaninovs’ public actions “do not raise red flags” unlike past cases involving pro-Russian statements or performances in Russia after February 24, 2022.

Smoljaninovs, who will perform in the play Casanova at Vilnius’ Compensa Concert Hall on April 19, has been listed since 2017 on the Ukrainian website Mirotvorets (“Peacemaker”), which tracks individuals accused of violating Ukraine’s national interests. His inclusion stems from participation in the 2014 film Kalashnikov and the series Crimea, both produced after Russia’s annexation of Crimea. However, the municipality emphasised that Smoljaninovs later condemned the invasion, stating he would “fight for Ukraine, not Russia” if conscripted.

Russian authorities charged Smoljaninovs in 2025 with “violent seizure of power” after his anti-war statements. Ukrainian media have since portrayed him as a cultural figure who made a “moral choice” by leaving Russia and actively opposing its regime, the municipality noted.

The debate follows Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas’ proposal to amend Lithuania’s Law on the Legal Status of Aliens, barring entry to individuals who engaged in public cultural or commercial activities in Russia, Belarus, or occupied territories after February 24, 2022. Benkunskas previously urged the Foreign Ministry to deny entry to Georgian rapper Gio Pika and Russian performer Alisher Morgenshtern over post-invasion concerts in Russia.