Federation Council Senator Vaynberg Resigns to Serve in Ukraine

Senator Alexander Vaynberg, a former guitarist for the patriotic rock band Lyube, has resigned from Russia’s upper-house Federation Council and announced plans to deploy to the front line in eastern Ukraine.

Speaking after lawmakers formally approved his resignation on Wednesday, Vaynberg, a member of the ruling United Russia party, said it had been “an honor and a privilege” to work with his colleagues for the past 15 years. “I will do my best to continue serving our homeland. As we know, victory will be ours,” the 64-year-old added.

Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said Vaynberg stepped down to focus on “working at the front line,” according to Kommersant, though she did not specify the role he would take on.

Lawmakers from Vaynberg’s home region of Nizhny Novgorod noted that he has been involved in collecting and delivering supplies to Russian troops since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Vaynberg, who rose to prominence as a guitarist for Lyube in the 1990s, entered politics in the early 2000s. He was appointed senator from the Nizhny Novgorod region in 2011 following a vote in the regional assembly and was reappointed three times. His current term was due to expire in September 2026.

Russian media first reported on Tuesday evening that Vaynberg planned to resign. Amid speculation, fellow lawmakers said he faces “no complaints” from law enforcement authorities.

Since 2022, several Russian politicians and officials have volunteered for military service, in some cases following criminal investigations. Members of the Federation Council are granted immunity from arrest, detention, and searches.

In November, Vaynberg wrote and performed a patriotic song with pro-war singer Shaman.