Put On Some Clothes, The Party Is Over

On December 20 and 21, television presenter and influencer Nastya Ivleyeva hosted a star-studded nearly-nude themed party at a Moscow nightclub. After pressure from pro-Kremlin activists, including former spy Maria Butina, Roskomnadzor began an investigation into the violation of "LGBT propaganda" laws and blocked content from the party. Three attendees have been arrested.

Ivleyeva's party gathered many of Russia's familiar faces at Moscow's Mutabor Club, from singers Lolita Milyavskaya and Philipp Kirkorov to rapper GeeGun. Among the crowd was Ksenia Sobchak, the television hostess known as "Putin's goddaughter." Tickets to the party cost nearly one million rubles ($10,855). 

Conservative and religious groups, including Sorok Sorokov, Zov Naroda, and the pro-government "Federal Project on Security and the Fight against Corruption" (FPBK), began filing mass denunciations after pictures and videos of the event circulated online. On December 22, the head of FPBK, Vitaly Borodin, attended a different party to "check that there were no naked people" (Borodin did not find any). Former spy and Gosduma deputy Maria Butina was also among the denunciatory crowd, filing claims to investigate the party organizers' compliance with the "LGBT propaganda ban."

At first, Ivleyeva laughed off the criticism, saying on a Telegram voice message that she loved criticism of her parties. However, after intense backlash, the TV hostess deleted her message. Ksenia Sobchak responded to outrage over partying at times of war, saying, "The world is unfair," and "No mourning can last forever." "Putin's goddaughter" added, "You may not like to look at this, but, excuse me, where and when adults [choose to] go with their bare butt is their own business." 

Rapper Vacio was arrested after wearing only sneakers and a sock covering his genitals during the party. Authorities later forced him to record an apology, saying he "does not support LGBT." Vacio will spend 15 days in prison and pay a fine of R200,000 ($2,171). 

Two men were detained after recording themselves kissing on the dancefloor. According to SHOT, the men may be arrested and sent to a detention center for 15 days.