Once a prominent action star in the 1980s and 1990s, Seagal’s career in Hollywood has faded, leading him to develop a deep connection with Russia and its leader. Despite his declining popularity, Seagal has continued making low-budget, direct-to-TV movies.
In 2016, Seagal became a Russian citizen and, in 2018, was appointed by Russia’s Foreign Ministry as a “Special Representative for Russia-U.S. Cultural Links, Cultural and Historical Heritage” in a voluntary role. Seagal reportedly moved to Moscow in 2021, possibly to avoid penalties imposed by the U.S. government. Additionally, he has faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct.
Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Seagal has been a vocal supporter of Russia and was one of the few Western figures present at Putin’s fifth inauguration in May 2024.
The new documentary, titled “In the Name of Justice”, aired on the Russian state-run platform Smotrim, and depicts Seagal touring Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, including Mariupol. Throughout the film, Seagal is seen interacting with locals and reiterating Kremlin-backed narratives through a translator, as he does not speak Russian. He also visits Ukrainian prisoners of war, purportedly members of the Azov Battalion.
In one segment, Seagal reveals a letter he claims to have written to Putin, in which he stated, “now we will see who our true compatriots and friends are, and who our enemies are. I stand with my president, and I will fight for him.”
Despite these bold declarations, there is no evidence that the 72-year-old Seagal has any intention of participating in military combat.
