After a decline in his Hollywood career, Seagal became increasingly enamored with Russia and Putin. He gained Russian citizenship in 2016 and was appointed by the Russian Foreign Ministry as a "Special Representative for Russia-U.S. Cultural Links" in 2018. In 2021, he reportedly moved to Moscow to avoid fines from the U.S. government. Throughout this time, he has also faced multiple accusations of sexual assault.
Since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Seagal has consistently praised Russia, distinguishing himself as one of the few Western celebrities to attend Putin’s inauguration for his fifth term in office in May 2024. His new documentary, "In the Name of Justice," aired on the Russian state media platform Smotrim and shows him visiting various occupied regions of Ukraine, including Mariupol.
In the documentary, Seagal speaks to civilians and shares propaganda talking points, all facilitated by a translator since he does not speak Russian. He even visits Ukrainian prisoners of war, allegedly from the Azov battalion. In one poignant moment, Seagal reveals he wrote a letter to Putin, proclaiming, “Now we will see who are our true compatriots and friends, and who are our enemies. I will be on the side of my president and I will fight on the side of my president.”
Despite his passionate declarations, it remains unclear whether the 72-year-old Seagal will engage in any military activities. As his celebrity status continues to intertwine with political narratives, many are left wondering what his next move will be in this complex geopolitical landscape.