The Mutabor event in Moscow, known as an “almost naked party”, was intended to be a night of revelry for top Russian celebrities, influencers, and socialites. However, it quickly turned into a controversial and polarizing event that has garnered extensive media attention and backlash from the pro-war community in Russia.
Photos and videos from the December 20th event sparked outrage among those who support the invasion of Ukraine, with many accusing the attendees and organizers of being morally corrupt and disrespectful to the soldiers fighting in the war. The party has dominated Russian headlines and social media for a week, highlighting the power of the pro-war community in the country since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
Russian lawmakers, propagandists, and military bloggers have condemned the event and those who attended, calling for boycotts and even suggesting punishment for the participants. Prominent figures, like state TV host Vladimir Solovyov, have condemned the party as morally deaf and inappropriate given the ongoing war in the country.
The fallout from the party has led to a string of apologies from celebrities who attended, as well as calls for legal action against the organizers. One of the event’s organizers, Anastasia Ivleeva, who is a top Russian influencer, has been heavily criticized and could potentially face prosecution. She has apologized for the event, but the backlash continues, with tax authorities reportedly investigating her and a lawsuit alleging moral damage caused by the party.
Amid the controversy, rapper Vasio, who was in attendance at the party, was arrested and sentenced to 15 days by a Moscow court for his participation in an event that promoted “non-traditional sexual relationships,” following Russia’s recent outlawing of the LGBTQ movement as extremist.
The incident has also drawn the attention of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who described the party as “satanic” and demanded that attendees who have apologized prove their sincerity by taking part in a military training course in Chechnya.
While the Kremlin has officially remained out of the controversy, the situation has raised issues related to LGBTQ rights and freedom of expression, as well as highlighting the power of the pro-war community in Russia. The event and its aftermath have caused a significant stir in Russian society, shedding light on the underlying tensions and divisions within the country.