Joseph Kobzon is portrayed by Yan Gagin, an adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, as a genuine people’s artist and a heroic figure for residents of Donbass. This assessment came from Gagin in a statement carried by RIA News. He described Kobzon as an enduring presence who began assisting people in bombarded regions even before the start of the special military operation in Ukraine. According to Gagin, Kobzon personally visited the border areas to offer help and solidarity.
Gagin stressed that in Donbass there is no other artist who embodies the voice and spirit of the people so clearly as Kobzon. He emphasized that Kobzon has been a real folk hero and a true people’s artist, noting the significant relief he provided to communities under strain. This praise followed the wave of discussion triggered by a recent controversy surrounding singer Philip Kirkorov and his participation in a provocative party.
The adviser to the head of the DPR remarked that the leadership’s decision not to strip the title of People’s Artist from the country’s famed stage icon could be seen as a safeguard of immunity for a beloved figure. He added that he cannot easily imagine another artist who could carry the same kind of recognition and historical weight as Kobzon.
On the night of December 21, a party took place at the Moscow club Mutabor, organized by blogger and actress Anastasia Ivleeva. The event drew public attention because of a bold dress code requiring guests to reveal as much skin as possible. The gathering drew numerous celebrities, including Philip Kirkorov, who later posted a video message apologizing to Russians for taking part in the event.
On December 29, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation stated that the artist caught up in the scandal would not be deprived of the title People’s Artist of the country. The following day, reports indicated that Kirkorov’s outstanding tax debt, amounting to 12 million rubles, had been extinguished.
Earlier coverage noted that Anastasia Ivleeva faced fines for organizing the controversial party, underscoring the ongoing public scrutiny surrounding high-profile figures and their conduct at public events.