American actor, karate master, and longtime supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Steven Seagal has declared his willingness to fight in Ukraine.
Seagal said that if needed, he is ready to fight on the side of the Russian Federation in a special operation in Ukraine, adding that, “if necessary,” he will die for his president.
In his documentary “In the Name of Justice,” posted on the media platform “Smotrim.ru,” alleged karate master proclaims his love for “Mother Russia” and former KGB agent turned president, Putin.
Also known as Sensei Seagal to his few remaining fans, Seagal is a controversial figure known for his pro-Russian stance and love for strip clubs.
Seagal during a press event in 2023 at the International Movement of Russophiles congress in Moscow had said. “I am 100% Russophile and 1 million percent Russian”. He added that he would do “whatever it takes” to defend Russia’s interests, signaling a personal commitment to the war effort.
The actor, who was named a special representative for Russia-U.S. cultural ties in 2018, has consistently voiced support for the Kremlin’s policies, including its actions in Ukraine.
While Seagal’s declaration is unlikely to translate into military action, his statements amplify his role as a vocal ally of Moscow at a time when Russia seeks to bolster international support for its war in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s defence ministry did not comment on the deployment of Seagal to Ukraine or if they would be forming a special unit to try to contain him to at least eastern part of the country.
Some Ukrainian social media users have pointed out that Sense Seagal uses a body double to walk up and down the stairs in his movies, questioning whether he is in shape to be deployed to Ukraine.
Last deployment Seagal was on ended in tragedy, when in 2011, while filming Steven Seagal: Lawman in Arizona, Seagal joined Sheriff Joe Arpaio for a police raid on an alleged illegal cockfighting ring at a suburban household.
The operation ended in horribly when Seagal drove a tank through the family’s fence causing destruction and was accused of shooting the family’s pet dog. Seagal would be sued for millions alongside the police department by the family they terrorised.
The case was eventually settled out of court.
Sensei Seagal’s love for Russia may steam from the string of allegations and legal issues over the years, many of which have significantly tarnished his public image.
Despite avoiding major legal consequences, the controversies surrounding his actions have remained in the spotlight.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Seagal has been accused by multiple women of sexual harassment and misconduct, with the most high-profile claims surfacing during the #MeToo movement. Actresses such as Portia de Rossi and Julianna Margulies alleged that Seagal made inappropriate advances during professional meetings or auditions. Margulies recounted an incident where she was lured to Seagal’s hotel room under false pretenses, while de Rossi accused him of unzipping his pants during an audition.
2010 Human Trafficking Allegation
In 2010, Seagal’s former assistant, Kayden Nguyen, filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault, human trafficking, and wrongful termination. Nguyen alleged that Seagal kept her as a “sex slave” and engaged in inappropriate conduct while she worked for him. The lawsuit was dropped after an undisclosed settlement was reached, but the case drew widespread media attention and further damaged Seagal’s reputation.
Ties to Organized Crime
Seagal has also faced scrutiny over alleged ties to organized crime. In the early 2000s, he became entangled in a legal dispute with his former business partner, Julius Nasso, who was later convicted of extortion related to Mafia activities. Though Seagal himself was never charged, the case raised suspicions about his possible connections to criminal elements, casting a further shadow over his career.
While Steven Seagal has largely avoided criminal charges or serious legal repercussions, the numerous allegations of misconduct, ties to organized crime, and legal disputes have had a lasting impact on his reputation.
These controversies continue to follow him, complicating his once-glorified public persona.
