An exiled Russian war motion picture star faces criminal charges over his criticism of Russias military project in Ukraine, authoritiesannounced Monday.Actor Artur Smolyaninov made a series of declarations against Russia in an interview to a Western publication, Russias Investigative Committee, which probes major criminal offenses, said in a brief statement.It did not determine the publication or specify which charges Smolyaninov faces.But in an interview released Friday with the independent Novaya Gazeta Europe news website, Smolyaninov stated: If I went to this war, then only on the side of Ukraine.

Its not even on the side of Ukraine for me: Its on the side of my bros who have been attacked by my other bros for nothing, he informed Novaya Gazeta Europe, which is blocked inside Russia.The actors pro-Ukraine remarks raised a storm amongst Russian lawmakers, a number of whom have called on investigative authorities to pursue criminal charges against him.Smolyaninov, 39, increased to popularity in Russia for his representation of a Soviet soldier during the Afghan war in director Fyodor Bondarchuks 2005 ticket office hit The 9th Company.

President Vladimir Putin, who purchased Russian soldiers to attack Ukraine in February 2022, had actually applauded the film for being close to life.

On Monday, Putins representative Dmitry Peskov stated the Kremlin doesnt believe anything excellent about this actors words.

Smolyaninov was dropped from a number of state-funded movie jobs in Russia after voicing his opposition to the invasion of Ukraine in April 2022.

He was charged with discrediting the Russian army in October 2022 for anti-war remarks made in an unspecified interview and fined 30,000 rubles ($430).

He has since then lived in European Union and NATO member Latvia.In his Novaya Gazeta Europe interview, Smolyaninov said he would no doubt shoot his The 9th Company co-star who was apparently deployed with the Russian armed force in Ukraine.