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Russian Comic Flees Putin's Wrath for LA
21 Jul
Summary
- Sasha Nezlobin left Russia after criticizing the war in Ukraine.
- He now lives in Los Angeles with his family and performs in English.
- Nezlobin faces backlash from pro-Kremlin groups for his comments.
Russian comedian Sasha Nezlobin, once a prominent figure in Russia's comedy scene, fled Moscow with his family in February 2022 due to his criticism of the war in Ukraine. He was on one of the last direct flights to New York before airspace closures, fearing repercussions for his anti-war stance.
Nezlobin and his family have since settled in Los Angeles, facing initial challenges with limited English and employment. He has continued his comedy career by performing for Russian-speaking communities and speaking out against Russia's censorship laws, drawing parallels to actions by leaders like Trump.
Despite being thousands of miles away, Nezlobin still faces backlash from pro-Kremlin groups, who have targeted him and other dissenting comedians. He fears returning to Russia, especially after witnessing fellow comedians face imprisonment for their jokes, impacting his and his family's safety.
Nezlobin is now performing his story in English at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He emphasizes that while he lost his country, he has not lost himself, hoping audiences will connect with the universal challenges of loss and resilience he shares.
