КИЇВ НОВИНИ 24

The frontman of the Boombox band and singer Andrii Khlyvniuk has refused to accept the international Sergei Magnitsky Prize for his services in the field of investigative journalism and human rights. The artist made this decision because the award was also given to Russian Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The woman won the Courage Under Fire nomination. Because of this, Andrii Khlyvniuk posted an appeal on Facebook, in which he explained in more detail the reason for the refusal.

“I sincerely thank all the founders and jury of the influential international Magnitsky Prize in London. You have noticed and noted my contribution to the race for freedom of speech and fundamental human rights, as part of the struggle for the independence of the Ukrainian state, which is insignificant compared to other people and foundations,” he began his appeal.

The artist noted that he could not accept the award because his conscience did not allow him to do so. He explained that he could not be in London for the award ceremony, which also recognized the activities of a Russian oppositionist at a time when his children were living in Ukraine under constant shelling.

“However, as a father of two children living under rocket attacks and a private in the Ukrainian Defense Forces (Kherson Patrol Police UAV Strike Team), I cannot receive this award along with other laureates who are ‘not sure’ of the need to provide my country with Western weapons that are vital to repel Russian aggression. Sincerely, Andrii Khlyvniuk,” the artist said.

In his address, he recalled Navalnaya’s words when she claimed that Ukraine did not need Western weapons because “bombs hit Russians too.”

As a reminder, the “Boombox” frontman became a patrol policeman with the Tactical Response Battalion in Kyiv immediately after the full-scale Russian invasion. During the defense of Kyiv, the musician came under mortar fire and was wounded in the face. In the hospital, a fragment of an enemy mine was removed from the warrior artist’s face, and he returned to duty a week later.

Now the singer is not only engaged in military activities but also travels abroad to give charity concerts and actively volunteers.