Today, Sting - singer/songwriter, musician, activist and humanitarian - releases “Russians (Guitar/Cello Version)” to all digital platforms with net profits to benefit www.helpukraine.center – a volunteer storage center established by Ukrainian business owners where humanitarian and medical aid can be sent from all over the world - with funds being processed through the German charity foundation, Ernst Prost, People for Peace – Peace for People.
Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sting decided to unearth his 1985 song, “Russians,” which was inspired by the Cold War and originally appeared on his debut solo album (The Dream of the Blue Turtles).
Sting comments, “I’ve only rarely sung this song in the many years since it was written, because I never thought it would be relevant again. But, in the light of one man’s bloody and woefully misguided decision to invade a peaceful, unthreatening neighbor, the song is, once again, a plea for our common humanity. For the brave Ukrainians fighting against this brutal tyranny and also the many Russians who are protesting this outrage despite the threat of arrest and imprisonment - We, all of us, love our children. Stop the war.”
Accompanied by cellist, Ramiro Belgardt with Sting on vocals and guitar, the new rendition, “Russians (Guitar/Cello Version),” was produced by Martin Kierszenbaum, engineered by Kaleb Allen, mixed by Robert “Hitmixer” Orton and mastered by Gene Grimaldi at Oasis Mastering.