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"Russians" is a 1985 anti-war song by British musician Sting from his debut solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles. It criticizes Cold War politics and the doctrine of mutual assured destruction, arguing that shared humanity and a mutual love for children are the only real defenses against nuclear annihilation. Musical and Visual Style Uses a prominent melody adapted from the Romance theme of the Lieutenant Kijé suite by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. Features an opening music video sequence with audio from a Soviet news broadcast about a meeting between Mikhail Gorbachev and Margaret Thatcher, plus sounds from the Apollo-Soyuz space mission. Built on a dramatic, synthesized orchestral sound paired with a steady, haunting rhythm. Core Themes and Lyrics Common Humanity: The track famously asserts, "We share the same biology, regardless of ideology," emphasizing that ordinary citizens on both sides are alike. The Threat of Leaders: It references historical figures like Nikita Khrushchev, Ronald Reagan, and J. Robert Oppenheimer, questioning the political rhetoric of nuclear escalation. The Central Plea: The song hinges on the rhetorical hope and refrain: "Hoping the Russians love their children too."