CD Projekt RED recently fully unveiled the story expansion The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past (or “Ballads of the Past” in Russian localization). The list of localizations was also announced: the content will receive a text translation into Russian, but there will be no official voice-over.
After the announcement, GamesVoice studio hinted at the possibility of creating an unofficial Russian voice-over. If such a project does take place, it will lack the main thing — Geralt's Russian voice.
Voice actor Vsevolod Kuznetsov explained that he would not participate:
I will answer the same thing I have always said — including to the creators of the game themselves. I believe the decision not to create a Russian version is wrong. Art, this game, the Witcher universe, the Russian language itself — all this unites people, makes them better and nobler. At all times, under all circumstances. Nevertheless, I will not participate in any pirate versions of the voice-over. This is my position.
According to Vsevolod Kuznetsov, “one must respect the decision of the creators of the work, even if you do not agree with it.”
The actor also noted that work on the Songs of the Past expansion is still ongoing — he admits that an official Russian voice-over may appear in the future:
And the appearance of a Russian version is not expected AT THE MOMENT. This does not mean that an OFFICIAL Russian version will not be made IN THE FUTURE.
The release of the Songs of the Past expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is expected in 2027.