A Russian-Austrian opera soprano, Anna Netrebko showed support to east Ukrainians during a press conference in St. Petersburg over the weekend. The world-renowned singer posed with of the top political leaders while holding the flag of Novorossia.
Russian Channel 5 TV showed her giving the cheque to Oleg Tsarev, a leader of the armed separatists in Donetsk.
She also said she would be donating 1 million roubles to the Donetsk Opera Theatre.
When asked about her view on the political strife that has killed more than 4,000 people since May, the soprano said it was not about politics as much as it was about art.
"I have a lot of musician friends in Donetsk," she said per The Guardian. "We have been writing to each other a lot, and they told me the theater was sacred for them, and the building had been partly damaged."
She added: "I decided that I wanted to help as much as I can. I think it's the right thing to do because art is art, and helps us get through all situations."
Donetsk is under the control of pro-Russia separatists and has caused much of the civilian population to flee after many areas were damaged by shelling.
While the main opera house building did not suffer, a warehouse where costumes are stored was damaged.
But this has not hindered the theater's plans to open this season.
A most resilient effort, for now we have the singer below.
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