Dasha Astafieva comments on criticism of her participation in the 2026 Radio Dictation

Ukrainian artist and model Dasha Astafieva commented on the wave of negative reactions that emerged after the announcement of her participation in the 2026 National Unity Radio Dictation. The public expressed dissatisfaction over various aspects of her biography and image.

Reaction to allegations regarding photoshoots and name

Among the main complaints from social media users were her previous shoots for Playboy magazine, her past use of the Russian language, and doubts about the appropriateness of her candidacy. Astafieva noted that part of the audience is upset specifically by her first name, Dasha, considering it not sufficiently Ukrainian, and questioned her ability to correctly read a text with vocabulary characteristic of the Ukrainian language.

Some critics focused on her appearance, age, and past experience shooting for an erotic publication.

«Не сподобалося, що я знімалася для Playboy 20 років тому. Хіба жінка з обкладинки журналу, який нишком передавали однокласники одне одному на перервах, варта когось «об'єднати»? Вона, навпаки, асоціюється у всіх з усамітненням» (It was not liked that I shot for Playboy 20 years ago. Is a woman on the cover of a magazine that classmates secretly passed to each other during breaks worthy of "uniting" anyone? On the contrary, she is associated by everyone with loneliness), the singer emphasised.

Invitation to the broadcast

Astafieva also mentioned criticism related to her music career and the format of the event, where she will perform alongside Ukrainian language and literature teacher Artur Proidakov. Some commentators expressed the view that the Radio Dictation should not turn into an entertainment show.

In response to these remarks, the artist invited everyone who doubts her right to be at this event, or who simply wants to take part in the dictation, to watch the broadcast.

«Усіх, хто хоче довести, що я не на своєму місці, та всіх, хто хоче просто традиційно (чи вперше) писати диктант, я запрошую на трансляцію 27 жовтня об 11:00 на YouTube-каналах Українського радіо та «Суспільного»» (I invite everyone who wants to prove that I am not in my place, and everyone who simply wants to traditionally (or for the first time) write the dictation, to the broadcast on 27 October at 11:00 on the YouTube channels of Ukrainian Radio and "Suspilne"), Astafieva added.

To conclude, she addressed future participants with humour: «Дістаємо подвійні аркуші – я перевірятиму» (Get out your double sheets – I will be checking).