Senator Alexander Vaynberg, a former guitarist for the rock band Lyube, has stepped down from his position in Russia’s upper house, the Federation Council, and revealed his intention to go to the front lines in eastern Ukraine.

“It has been a true honor and privilege to serve alongside you all as part of one team over the last 15 years,” Vaynberg, a member of the ruling United Russia party, expressed to his colleagues following a Wednesday vote that officially accepted his resignation.

“I will strive to continue serving our country. Victory will be ours,” the 64-year-old senator declared.

According to Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, as reported by Kommersant, Vaynberg resigned to concentrate on “working at the front.” She did not specify the role he would take on.

Colleagues from Vaynberg’s home region of Nizhny Novgorod noted that he has been actively involved in collecting and delivering supplies to Russian troops since the onset of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

A guitarist for the patriotic rock band Lyube in the 1990s, Vaynberg ventured into politics in the early 2000s and was appointed as senator for the Nizhny Novgorod region in 2011 after being elected by the regional assembly. He has been reappointed to the Federation Council three times, with his current term ending in September 2026.

Russian media first reported on Tuesday evening that Vaynberg intended to resign. To quell speculation regarding potential legal issues he might be facing, his fellow lawmakers affirmed that he has “no complaints” from law enforcement.

Since 2022, several politicians and officials have opted to engage in military service following criminal investigations. Russian senators possess immunity from arrest, detention, and searches.

In November, Vaynberg composed and performed a patriotic song together with pro-war singer Shaman.