David Gilmour and Polly Samson Condemn Russian Oligarch Threatening Ukraine

Iconic Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour and his wife, novelist Polly Samson, have spoken out against Russian oligarch Evgeny Lebedev, condemning his alleged threats against Ukraine.

Lebedev, who owns the Independent and Evening Standard newspapers, has been accused of using his media outlets to spread pro-Kremlin propaganda and to intimidate critics of the Russian government.

In a series of tweets, Gilmour and Samson accused Lebedev of threatening to sue them after they criticized his support for the Russian government's actions in Ukraine.

Gilmour wrote: "Evgeny Lebedev has threatened to sue me for libel after I criticized his support for Putin and his invasion of Ukraine."

Samson added: "Evgeny Lebedev has threatened to sue me for libel too. I stand by everything I said. Putin is a war criminal and Lebedev is his apologist."

Lebedev has denied the allegations, calling them "false and defamatory." He has also said that he is considering legal action against Gilmour and Samson.

The dispute between Gilmour, Samson, and Lebedev highlights the growing tension between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine.

Gilmour and Samson are not the only public figures who have criticized Lebedev. In 2021, the UK government revoked Lebedev's peerage over concerns about his links to the Russian government.