Rapper Vacio, whose birth name is Nikolai Vasiliev, is preparing to begin military service in the spring of 2024. This development is reported by Life connected to Shot, a media outlet that has followed the artist’s public activities closely.
According to the outlet, the 25-year-old musician was brought to the Moscow military enlistment office in the Savelovsky district, where a medical commission conducted the initial examination. The process highlights the standard path for conscripts in the capital region, including health checks, documentation verification, and a review of any existing exemptions or prior medical notes that could influence an induction decision.
Earlier, in Yekaterinburg, Vasiliev had not been summoned after the medical commission’s decision did not favor induction. Nevertheless, recent reports suggest he now stands ready for service should the examining doctors determine him fit and the state calls upon him to perform his duty. The situation reflects the broader dynamics surrounding conscription, medical clearances, and personal readiness among eligible citizens.
The spring 2024 compulsory military service window is set to begin on April 1, marking a structured period when conscripts who meet the criteria and receive medical clearance are typically mustered for training and assignment.
At the end of December 2023, a court ruled against Vacio on charges of petty hooliganism and promoting unconventional relationships after he attended a party with blogger Anastasia Ivleeva, an incident that drew media attention. He received 15 days of administrative detention and a fine of 200 thousand rubles. He appealed the decision, and the case saw further action when he was arrested again for 10 days on January 6. These developments illustrate the legal pressures and consequences sometimes associated with high-profile public figures in contemporary Russia.
The day before the latest court proceedings, Vasiliev publicly declined a statement through a Telegram channel operated by a representative group linked to the LGBT community. That group, the International LGBT Social Movement, is considered extremist and is banned in the Russian Federation, a designation that has shaped public discourse and institutional responses around LGBTQ+ advocacy in Russia.
Comedian Idrak Mirzalizadeh, who previously left Russia, has spoken about the challenges associated with migration and relocation in the current climate. His remarks underscore a broader narrative about career trajectories for entertainers who navigate political and social changes across borders, as well as the practical considerations that come with moving from one country to another in pursuit of work and safety.