The controversial gathering hosted by blogger and television presenter Nastya Ivleeva drew sharp reactions from actor Ivan Okhlobystin. He expressed strong disapproval, describing the event as a personal slight toward frontline soldiers and suggesting it could ignite broader social tensions.
Okhlobystin warned that if any participant in the party appeared on national television during the New Year celebrations, the soldiers might see it as the government scorning them and their families. He argued that such perceptions could fuel a revolutionary mood, underscoring the sensitivity around military credibility and public sentiment toward leadership.
The actor urged a moment of reflection, pointing to the potential consequences of a highly publicized event that could be misread as disdain for service members and their loved ones. His remarks emphasized the delicate balance between celebrity action and state-perceived loyalty in a country with a strong tradition of national service.
On December 20, Ivleeva hosted a party at the Mutabor club with a dress code inviting attendees to arrive half-naked. Among the guests were Ksenia Sobchak, Olga Orlova, Philip Kirkorov, the group Glukoza, Lolita Milyavskaya, Oksana Samoilova, rapper Vacio, and Dzhigan. The gathering quickly became a focal point for discussions about public decency, media responsibility, and the cultural climate surrounding celebrity events.
Following the event, on December 21, Maria Butina, a deputy in the State Duma, called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Roskomnadzor, and the Ministry of Culture to supervise the party. She indicated a desire to verify compliance with laws restricting LGBT propaganda, and she framed this as part of a broader effort to address what she described as extremist activity by some groups within the movement environment. The move highlighted the ongoing debate over freedom of expression, cultural policy, and the boundaries of permitted activism in Russia.
Earlier, Sarik Andreasyan had chosen not to cooperate with Sobchak in response to Ivleeva’s naked-party event. The reluctance to engage reflected the tense atmosphere between public figures and the critics who scrutinize their choices, illustrating how celebrity networks and media attention can complicate political and social discourse.
In the wider public sphere, observers emphasized how celebrity-led gatherings can become flashpoints for conversations about morality, state expectations, and the responsibilities that come with influence. The incident prompted questions about the role of public figures in shaping social norms and the potential ripple effects when entertainment intersects with politics and national service traditions. The discourse extended to concerns about the channels through which cultural events are broadcast and the ways audiences interpret such moments in a country with a highly active media landscape. [Source attribution needed]
Overall, the episodes surrounding the event illuminated the fragile link between show business and public policy, a dynamic that often invites intense media scrutiny and polarized opinions. The conversations underscored the reality that celebrity actions can quickly become macro-level discussions about national identity, freedom of expression, and the expectations placed on public figures who operate within a tightly watched cultural environment. [Citations: attribution pending]