Main points
- Five Ukrainian celebrities, including Andriy Shchegel, Valeriy Bebko, Valeriy Zhidkov, Oleksandr Ellert, and Vlad Yama, moved to the United States during or after the start of the full-scale war.
- Some of them have been criticized for their choice to leave Ukraine, as well as for participating in events abroad that are not always perceived positively in their homeland.
Ukrainian stars who left for the USA / Collage of Channel 24
It will no longer be news to anyone that many famous people are now living abroad. Some were there before the start of the full-scale war, while others left after February 24, 2022.
Some of them took the opportunity to leave Ukraine and, most likely, they don't even regret it. Further in the article , Channel 24 will tell you who chose life in the USA and how they live there.
Andriy Shchegel
The man was a participant in the Srakadupa podcast and also called himself a Ukrainian comedian. During the full-scale war, Shchegel received three summonses, but he openly said that he would not go to the front.
So, he received permission from the Ministry of Culture to travel for charitable purposes. Upon arriving in Turkey, he made a statement that while there was war in Ukraine, he would not return home, and that he was “having a great time in a comfortable psychological environment” abroad.
But that didn't stop him from calling Ukraine “fiction,” calling it a “f*ckin' circus with drunken morons.”
Andriy Shchegel / Photo from the comedian's Facebook
The Ministry of Culture responded to this egregious incident and stated that law enforcement agencies would take up the matter.
The comedian's actions are unacceptable under martial law, at a time when the vast majority of conscious men remain in the country and are ready to fight to preserve our state,
– the Ministry said.
It is known that the comedian lives in the USA. There he hopes to obtain the right to long-term residence.
Valeriy Bebko
The Hardkiss member lives abroad with his wife, Yulia Sanina. The singer said that their family left before the full-scale invasion.
Sanina about her husband's departure abroad / Screenshot from Instagram
The man later took to social media to share photos of where he was today, including notable architectural landmarks such as the Orpheum Theatre, a historic theater located in downtown Los Angeles.
Valeriy Bebko / Photo from the musician's Instagram
Valery Zhidkov
During the full-scale war, the comedian disappeared from the public sphere. In February last year, Yevhen Koshevoy reported that his colleague had left Ukraine without any warning.
He (Valery Zhidkov, – 24 Channel) doesn’t work. He left, I don’t know if you can call it “in English” or not. When I found out that he left, it was unexpected. I came, and they told me: “Valery left”. Well, he left and left. It means that you are such a “strong” guy,” the showman said.
Zhidkov's Instagram account currently lists the location as the United States, so it's likely that the comedian and his family are currently there.
Valery Zhidkov / Photo from Instagram
He maintains social media in Russian, speaks Russian in videos, and also publishes new photos and videos from his performances.
Alexander Ellert
After the start of the full-scale war, the winner of the “Bachelor” project left Ukraine and went to the United States, where he allegedly took part in a concert on the occasion of Independence Day. But for some reason, he decided not to return home.
I officially left Ukraine according to all legal norms during martial law. Also during the full-scale invasion I returned to the country twice (July and December 2022) and I can do it again. The Ministry of Culture, Quarter 95, the president of any country, Doctor Strange, Doctor Komarovsky, Shlyakh, Dobrobat… have nothing to do with my crossing the border,
– said Alexander.
Despite the fact that the comedian is trying to perform stand-up, he is facing hate on social media. People are criticizing him for fleeing Ukraine and also emphasizing the fact that Oleksandr is performing in Russian.
Alexander Ellert / Photo from Instagram
In February of this year, the comedian announced a European tour with concerts in Russian, some of which have already taken place.
Vlad Yama
The choreographer said that on the day the Great War began, he was in Ukraine and evacuated his parents from Zaporizhzhia. Later, his family spent several days in Europe and went to the USA. But how the choreographer left Ukraine remains an open question.
In the States, the choreographer, according to him, conducts charity master classes, and his wife Liliana is raising her son. The dancer wrote on social networks that his country is being destroyed, but the main thing for him is that his family is safe. He thanked the Armed Forces of Ukraine and noted that he respects the defenders.
Vlad Yama with his wife / Photo from Instagram
And here too, there were scandals. It turned out that from time to time Yama is noticed in the company of Russians. For example, he previously said that he works at the American studio MIAMI DANCE ACADEMY, whose team includes Russians. In November 2024, information appeared in the media that Vlad Yama had fun at a “Russian party” in Chicago. It was probably organized on the occasion of Halloween, because the guests were in themed costumes. The dancer worked as a DJ.