Kremlin-backed artist uses AI deepfakes and stirs controversy

While many countries are attempting to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in art in order to protect artists' integrity, intellectual property and even their voices, one Russian artist has taken a different approach.

Yaroslav Dronov, 34, is a singer who previously participated in the Russian versions of The X Factor and The Voice. Known as Shaman, he has publicly supported the Russian invasion of Ukraine and regularly performs at the events organised by the current government.

Shaman also participated in Intervision 2025, the Putin-ordered alternative to Eurovision that promotes “respect for traditional universal, spiritual and family values”. In 2025, he even performed at Pyongyang in North Korea.

The singer has been included on sanctions lists maintained by the European Union, Canada and Australia. As a result of this, Shaman’s official Western distributing channels, including Spotify and YouTube, were terminated in 2024.

Now, in his most recent music video for the song 'Mother Russia' ('Rossiya – Mama'), Shaman develops photographic portraits of Russian public figures who left the country following the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Although the video does not feature every individual designated as a "foreign agent" by the Russian authorities, it includes figures such as comedian Maxim Galkin, rappers Noize MC and Morgenshtern, journalist and blogger Yury Dud, businessmen Oleg Tinkov and Mikhail Khodorkovsky, and political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann.

At one point in the video, Shaman pins the photographs of these individuals to a board. Their AI-generated deepfakes then begin singing together as a choir. The video contains a disclaimer stating that AI-generated content was used.

In a post on VK, Russia's largest social networking platform, the singer wrote that "while they [“foreign agents”] perform for money against Russia, in my music video they sing for Russia free of charge."

The reactions from those featured in the video have varied.

While some are upset that their old photographs were used, others stated that it is good publicity for them.

Blogger Ilya Varlamov went further, arguing that the singer was “one of theirs” and that Shaman openly supports the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. He also suggested that the singer had effectively allowed for the "foreign agents" to reappear on Russian TV.

One notable omission from the video was singer Monetochka, whose real name is Yelizaveta Gyrdymova. She later expressed disappointment at not being included.

Monetochka, who currently lives in Lithuania, has been designated a "foreign agent" by Russia's Ministry of Justice, and a criminal case was opened against her in 2024 for “evading the duties of a foreign agent”.

Shaman's music video has sparked further discussion online about the legality of using AI-generated deepfakes and whether public figures could pursue legal action over the unauthorised use of their images. Many legal experts have argued that, under Russian law, lawsuits could potentially be brought if the individuals involved choose to take legal action.

However, some commentators have expressed scepticism about the likelihood of success in any such case, citing Shaman's close association with the Russian government.

To this, Shaman says he “does not have the right to conceal this betrayal” and that he will “be lit up with the truth like a Kremlin star”.

As of publication, no official lawsuit has been filed.