Pavlo Gennadiyovich Ushivets (Ukrainian: Павло Геннадійович Ушивець, Russian: Павел Геннадьевич Ушивец,[1] born 21 January 1987), better known as Mustang Wanted, is a Ukrainian urban climber and Internet celebrity.[2] He is known for the high-altitude stunts he performs around the world with little or no safety equipment.

Mustang Wanted
Born
Pavlo Gennadiyovich Ushivets (Ukrainian: Павло Геннадійович Ушивець, Russian: Павел Геннадьевич Ушивец)

(1987-01-21) January 21, 1987 (age 37)
CitizenshipUkrainian
Known forUrban climbing, Internet celebrity

Biography edit

Ushivets was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and identifies as Heorhiy (or Grigory). He lives in Kyiv.[3]

In September 2023, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ushivets revealed on Instagram that he was serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine in a combat role.[4]

Urban climbing edit

He has climbed Vienna's Votivkirche,[5] Princess Tower in Dubai[6] and Most SNP in Bratislava.[7]

 
In August 2014, Mustang Wanted climbed Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building in Moscow, painted the upper half of the star at the top of the building in blue and raised the Ukrainian flag above it.

On 19–20 August 2014, he climbed Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building, one of the Seven Sisters (a group of skyscrapers in Moscow designed in the Stalinist style), painted the spire in blue and raised the Ukrainian flag on the top of the building. He dedicated the performance to Independence Day of Ukraine (celebrated on 24 August).[3] He suggested online that he was willing to be arrested by Russian police in exchange for the release of Ukrainian pilot Nadya Savchenko,[3] who was captured by pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine and abducted to Russia.[8] He received the 2014 Troublemaker Award for this stunt.[9]

In September 2016, Ushivets attended the Toronto Film Festival, where he participated in the announcement of a new film based on his exploits and those of three Russian climbers. The film title is We Kill Death, and it will be produced by Alex Ginzburg and Tony Lee.[10]

In August 2017, Ushivets, during an interview with the Russian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, announced that he will not do any more "provocative stunts" in Russia.[10]

Filmography edit

Awards edit

  • Commemorative Fire-arm (2014), for painting the star on the Kotelnicheskaya Embankment Building[13]

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Фигурантам дела о покраске звезды на сталинской высотке присудили компенсацию". Meduza. Retrieved 2016-07-06.
  2. ^ Lokot, Tetyana (22 August 2014). "Ukrainian Daredevil Climber Admits to Painting the Moscow Star in Ukraine's Colors". Global Voices. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Heil, Andy (24 August 2014). "'Mustang Wanted' Claims He Raised Ukrainian Flag Over Moscow". Radio Free Europe. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  4. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  5. ^ "'Roofer' scales Vienna's Votivkirche". The Local. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Mustang Wanted - українець, що підняв жовто-блакитний прапор над Москвою. Фото. Відео" (in Ukrainian). Ukrayinska Pravda. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  7. ^ Ivanová, Marianna (6 August 2014). "Posledná selfie ukrajinského blázna?! Extrémista sa driapal po bratislavskom moste bez istenia!" (in Slovak). Nový čas. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  8. ^ Ukraine conflict: Russia charges pilot over deaths, BBC News (9 July 2014)
    Russia Charges Ukrainian Pilot Savchenko Over Journalists' Deaths, NBC News (9 July 2014)
  9. ^ Strauss, Karsten (10 September 2014). "Ukrainian Troublemaker Receives $10,000 Award For 'Redecorating' Moscow". Forbes. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  10. ^ a b Dmitry Volchek Ron Synovitz (23 August 2017). "Ukrainian Daredevil Mellows, Won't Return To Russia For More Provocative Stunts". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
  11. ^ "Mustang Wanted Stars in Klangkarussell's "Netzwerk (Falls Like Rain)" Music Video". ballinonabudget.tv. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  12. ^ The five scariest free-climbing videos. The Telegraph. 20 January 2014
  13. ^ Avakov awarded the roofer Mustang with commemorative arms and advised Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation to safe-keep color of Kremlin stars. Censor.net. 3 October 2014

External links edit