Yefrosinina spoke about Kuzma and sparked a storm of reactions online
After watching the documentary “Kuzma: Terribly Funny,” TV host Masha Yefrosinina spoke emotionally about Andriy Kuzmenko and his views on Ukraine’s future. She said that the musician had spoken a lot about the war during his lifetime, but at the time she didn’t realize how accurate his words would turn out to be, and suggested that perhaps “it’s a good thing he didn’t live to see” the present day. It was this very statement that sparked the most outrage on social media.
The TV host admitted that the film stirred strong emotions in her, as she personally knew Andriy Kuzmenko and many of the people who appear in the film. According to her, after watching it, she gained a new perspective on Kuzma himself and his statements. She was particularly struck by how much Ukrainians began to appreciate the musician after his death.
Yefrosinina noted that she regrets that Kuzmenko, like some other people important to Ukraine, did not always receive the love and recognition he deserved during his lifetime. “You have to be able to tell a person that they deserve love if you love them. Tell them and show them,” the TV host emphasized. She added that she wished Kuzma could have felt how people felt about him while he was still alive. In her opinion, the immense attention his legacy has received since his death shows just how important it is not to put off expressing words of gratitude and support until later.
What Yefrosinina Said About Kuzma’s Death
Another part of the TV host’s story caused the greatest stir. Yefrosinina recalled that even before his death, Kuzma had spoken about a possible major war and Ukraine’s future.
According to her, when they spoke, she didn’t attach as much significance to those words as she does now. It was only after the full-scale invasion began that Yefrosinina, in her own words, realized just how often Kuzmenko had spoken about what later became a reality. “Perhaps it’s for the best that he didn’t live to see the times he so feared,” she said.
It was precisely this statement that social media users reacted to with mixed feelings. Some people argued that such words sounded inappropriate, since Kuzmenko died in 2015—after the Russian aggression against Ukraine had already begun.
Users reminded her of the war in 2015
In the comments, users reminded Yefrosinina that Kuzma died on February 2, 2015, in a car accident in the Dnipropetrovsk region. At that time, Russia had already occupied Crimea, and fighting was ongoing in the Donbas. Therefore, some users disagreed with the statement that the musician allegedly “didn’t live to see the war.” “Didn’t live to see the war? Wasn’t there a war in 2015?” wrote one commenter.
Another user stated that he saw nothing positive in the fact that Kuzmenko passed away early. “There’s nothing good about him passing away early. If he were alive today, he wouldn’t have stayed silent about what’s happening now,” the comment read.
People also reacted differently to Yefrosinina’s suggestion that Kuzma might have had a hard time coping with the current war. For many Ukrainians, the musician remains someone who spoke openly about the country’s problems and wasn’t afraid to criticize the government.
Yefrosinina stated that Ukraine lacks a figure like Kuzma
Separately, the TV host said that Ukraine today lacks a figure of the caliber that Kuzmenko was. “The country doesn’t have its own Kuzma today—in terms of freedom of expression, freedom of spirit, and the magnitude of his personality,” she noted. Yefrosinina spoke not only about the musician’s popularity. She mentioned his ability to speak frankly, admit his own mistakes, and use his popularity to help others.
In her opinion, Kuzma had a rare ability to remain relatable to a wide variety of people. That is precisely why his work and statements continue to be discussed even years after his death. The release of the documentary, according to the TV host, provided a good opportunity to once again discuss who Kuzmenko was and why he remains an important figure for Ukrainians to this day.
The internet was divided over the phrase “our Kuzma”
The criticism wasn’t limited to the phrase about the musician’s death. Some users also took issue with the claim that Ukraine today lacks a figure of Kuzma’s stature. According to some commenters, such a comparison could unfairly devalue those who are currently doing important work for the country. This refers, in particular, to military personnel, volunteers, journalists, medical workers, rescue workers, and others who are working and fighting during this full-scale war. “Saying something like that is to belittle the struggle of everyone who is currently doing the impossible for the sake of our country’s independence,” wrote one user.
Other commenters criticized Yefrosinina specifically for her wording regarding Kuzma’s death. Some urged the TV host to choose her words more carefully when speaking about a person who died during an ongoing war. Comments also appeared online in which authors called Yefrosinina’s words contrived or insincere. At the same time, there were those who supported her main point about Kuzma’s uniqueness and his influence on Ukrainian culture. “No one can replace Kuzma,” noted one user.
Why Kuzma Is Still Remembered in Ukraine
Andriy Kuzmenko was the frontman of the band “Skryabin,” a TV host, a producer, and one of Ukraine’s most famous musicians. He died in a car accident in 2015 at the age of 46. Kuzma often spoke about Ukrainian politics, society, the war, and the problems faced by ordinary people. His statements were often blunt, but at the same time, he knew how to explain complex issues in simple terms.
After the outbreak of full-scale war, Ukrainians repeatedly revisited Kuzma’s old interviews and paid attention to his words about the country’s future. As a result, interest in his work and views has grown once again. The documentary film “Kuzma: Terribly Funny” provided yet another reason to remember the musician and discuss his life, work, and views.
At the same time, Yefrosinina’s remarks showed that even years after Kuzma’s death, he remains a subject of heated debate. For some, he is the unique voice of his generation; for others, it is more important to remember not only his past but also those people who continue to fight for Ukraine today. Yefrosinina shared her impressions of the documentary in an interview with “Alone with Glamour.”
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