The Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) has made a surprising accusation against Albert Vasiliev, a well-known Ukrainian rapper and blogger, also known as Kyivstoner. According to the Russian special service, while living in Slovakia, he organized a drone attack on a defense enterprise in the Moscow region.
This accusation was quickly spread by Russian state media, and later by Slovak media. Let's look at what is known about this case, how the artist himself reacted, and why this looks like another Kremlin information operation.
What exactly is the rapper accused of?
According to the FSB, Kyivstoner, acting "under the patronage of the SBU" (Security Service of Ukraine), coordinated a group of people to attack a strategic facility in the Moscow region. They allegedly planned to use 35 FPV drones equipped with explosives and resistant to electronic warfare systems for this purpose.
Russian security forces claim that the drones were secretly delivered from Kyiv through Slovakia, Poland, and Belarus, hidden in a shipment of Spanish ceramic tiles. The cargo was allegedly placed in a rented hangar near the target.
The FSB reported the detention of the "direct perpetrator" – a former member of the Wagner Private Military Company who recently received Russian citizenship. Another suspect, who rented the hangar, was allegedly killed during his arrest because he "offered armed resistance." No convincing evidence of Kyivstoner's or Ukrainian special services' involvement has been provided.
Who is Kyivstoner and his connection to Slovakia
Albert Vasiliev is a Ukrainian musician, actor, and video blogger, a former member of the popular group "Griby." After leaving the project, he focused on his solo career and developing his image on social media.
For several years before the full-scale invasion, Kyivstoner worked in Russia, including hosting a YouTube show with rapper Basta. In 2021, according to the artist himself, he was unofficially banned from entering the Russian Federation. It is known that recently he has been living partly in Spain and Slovakia, which became the formal reason for mentioning European countries in the FSB's version.
Kyivstoner himself reacted to the accusations with his usual irony and profanity. On his social media, he expressed surprise at the attention to his person. "I don't know why I've received such attention, and I have a question: Why? This is a pointless investment... I'm chilling, bro, playing Dota. What organization of anything?" he stated.
Another information attack?
Accusations against a public figure who has no connection to military affairs seem absurd and fit the usual tactics of Russian propaganda. The purpose of such statements can vary:
- Discrediting Ukrainians abroad. Creating an image of "terrorists" operating from the territory of European countries.
- Internal propaganda. Demonstrating the "effective" work of the FSB, which allegedly constantly prevents terrorist attacks organized by Ukraine.
- Distraction. Shifting focus from real Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian military and industrial facilities to fabricated stories involving media personalities.
Currently, the entire case looks like a crudely fabricated story with no real basis. It serves as another reminder of the information warfare methods that Russia actively uses against Ukraine and its citizens, regardless of their place of residence.
