Yulia Sanina Faces Backlash After Returning to Kyiv

Yulia Sanina’s Return to Kyiv Sparks Controversy

According to Главком: Ukrainian singer Yulia Sanina, lead vocalist of the band The Hardkiss and a resident of Spain, has returned to Kyiv. She shared her impressions of walking through the city in a post on the social media platform Threads, where she wished the capital a happy City Day. Sanina wrote:

“Yesterday, I walked my favorite route through Kyiv. From Arsenalna to Khreshchatyk, Maidan, and Volodymyrska Hill.”

She also expressed her love for Kyiv, saying:

“I love you, my city. And I miss you so much. Happy Kyiv Day.”

However, her return drew criticism from some social media users. Many pointed out that she came without her husband, Valeriy Bebko, a producer and musician who lives abroad. Commenters asked:

• “Why without your husband?”
• “Not brave enough to walk your favorite route with your husband?”

Some remarks targeted her patriotism, including: “Patriot from abroad. Impressive. And where’s your husband? How much did he pay for the deferment?” Others expressed dissatisfaction, noting: “People just don’t like how the post’s author and her team behaved-they left Ukraine and never came back.”

Yulia Sanina’s Response to the Criticism

Sanina responded to the criticism by saying she misses Kyiv because she rarely gets to see her hometown now. She also shared family photos from a winter vacation, likely at the Sierra Nevada ski resort in southern Spain. Some users even remarked: “The chance of seeing Yulia in the Kyiv metro is small, but never zero.”

Thus, Yulia Sanina’s return to Kyiv became a topic of discussion, reflecting differing views on her patriotism and her relationship with her husband, who lives abroad.

This situation highlights the complexity of patriotism among Ukrainians living abroad. Amid war and forced emigration, many face criticism over where they live and how they support their country. Such debates often reflect not just personal opinions but broader social and cultural sentiments within society. Despite the backlash, Sanina’s return can be seen as an attempt to maintain a connection with her homeland-an important effort for many Ukrainians overseas.