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Kasatkina Opens Up about the War on Ukraine and the Difficulty of Being Gay in Russia


By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday, July 18, 2022

Daria Kasatkina has spoken openly on Russia's war in Ukraine and her own sexuality in a deep, thought-provoking interview with Vitya Kravchenko.

Enjoy the full video above.

Tennis Express

During the hour-long video, which features exclusive footage of Kasatkina and compatriot Andrey Rublev, talking about many topics, both light-hearted and heavy, Kasatkina was asked what she wants most: “For the war to end,” was her reply.

“There hasn’t been a single day since February 24 that I haven’t read some news myself, or that I haven’t thought of it… [I want] for the day to just pass by without it.”

The video gives good insight into the war, and it's deleterious effects, from a Russian perspective. It was clear from the footage what kind of toll the war is taking on Kasatkina, even as she tries to shrug off the difficulties, saying essentially that what she is going through is nothing compared to what Ukrainians are going through.

“What people go through there, people that have relatives in Ukraine. I can’t imagine what they are going through – it’s a full-blown nightmare," she said. "If only we could do something to stop that, even tiny percentage to stop… without a thought I’d do anything I can, but unfortunately it’s impossible. We can’t do shit. We can’t change events that unfold.

“It makes you feel powerless.”

It has been rare to see Russian athletes speak so openly on the subject, given that they are walking the fine line between staying out of trouble in their homeland and showing a brave, sympathetic face to the world.

“I can’t imagine what it is like to have no home,” Kasatkina said. “Not that you haven’t bought it but that you’re home was taken away, simply taken away.”

"Aren’t you afraid that you won’t be able to go back to Russia, that they will take your house away after your declaration?" she was asked by Kravchenko.

“Yes, I thought about that,” she Kasatkina said, sadly.

Earlier in the video she was asked if she thought that at some point she may have to switch passports in order to continue her life on the tennis tour. Kasatkina said it’s possible.

Kasatkina on Being Gay in Russia

The Russian also talked about the hopelessness of being gay in Russia at one point in the interview, saying that it’s no surprise that the subject is taboo in Russia.

“So many subjects are taboo in Russia, some of them more important than ours – it’s no surprise,” she said. “The notion of someone wanting to be gay becoming gay, is so ridiculous. Seriously, I think there is nothing easier in this world than being straight.

"Seriously if there was a choice, nobody would choose being gay, why make your life harder, especially in Russia?”

Kasatkina's decision to come out is incredibly brave, considering the current climate inside of Russia, where Russian lawmakers are currently submitting legislation that would ban any information deemed "LBGT Propoganda".

Current Russian law bans the display of “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relationships” toward minors.

“Living in peace with yourself is the only thing that matters and fu** everyone else,” Kasatkina said.

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