In late autumn, AvtoVAZ completed the handover of the newest Vesta NG lineup to the St. Petersburg football club Zenit. The iconic Lada brand has stepped in as Zenit’s official partner for the 2023 season, supporting the team with a mixed fleet that includes sedans and station wagons, with at least one SW Cross variant among the deliveries. The exact quantity of vehicles was not disclosed by either party. This collaboration marks a notable modernization of Zenit’s on- and off-field operations, aligning the club with a well-known national automaker during a year of busy activity for both sides. [CITATION: AvtoVAZ press materials, official club communications]
To celebrate the partnership, Zenit produced a video featuring Vyacheslav Evdokimov, a legendary photographer who has been documenting the team’s matches for many years. In the clip, Evdokimov test-drives the new Vesta SW Cross and comments on the car’s performance and comfort. He notes that the vehicle starts with the ease of a high-performing midfielder and that its cabin space is ample enough to accommodate a range of passengers comfortably, including staff traveling with the team. The voice heard in the advertisement is not Evdokimov’s own; it belongs to Maxim Merkulov, who is known for voicing the character of Jeremy Clarkson in Russia. [CITATION: Zenit media release; production notes]
Demanding Tires, Broad Support
Public safety and mobility are two critical aspects for any major public initiative. A recent campaign linked to the banner Behind the Wheel and organized with the Popular Front aims to raise funds to equip multiple public service fleets in the region. The initiative seeks to purchase tires in seven thousand units in widely available sizes, ensuring ambulances, emergency response vehicles, and other essential service cars have reliable traction in varied conditions. In addition to humanitarian aid vehicles destined for Donbass, the effort supports military and logistical assets used by local authorities during ongoing operations. Contributions can be made through the designated collection page, with all funds directed toward tire procurements and related maintenance needs. [CITATION: campaign organizers press brief; donor communications]
Video: VKontakte/FC Zenit