Ariel, the Russian pop/rock band based in Chelyabinsk, died on February 25, 2026.
Formed in 1967 from the merger of two earlier ensembles, Ariel and Allegro, the group was headed by Valery Yarushin and, from 1989 to the present day, by Rostislav Gepp. Known for performances that often drew on Russian folk music, the band was popular during the Soviet era and won several awards.
Ariel (Russian: Ариэль, romanized: Ariel) are a “VIA” (pop/rock) band based in Chelyabinsk, Russia. They were formed in 1967 and headed by Valery Yarushin. From 1989 to the present day, they have been headed by Rostislav Gepp. The group emerged from a fusion of two earlier (1960s) ensembles, called Ariel and Allegro. Yarushin, who had been in charge of Allegro, became the manager of the new group. The band was popular during the Soviet era and won several awards. Their performances often made use of material of Russian folk music.