Ruslan Bely, a comedian who has been described as a foreign agent within the Russian Federation, discussed his compensation on a YouTube channel podcast, specifically the LAIKA PRO program. He indicated that his monthly earnings from the Comedy Club show ranged between 40,000 and 50,000 rubles.
During the interview, Bely explained that he initially contributed as part of a writers’ group, drafting jokes for the project. He later stepped back from those duties. He also noted that his earnings per broadcast were about 50,000 rubles. According to him, the early cohort of Comedy Club residents felt the most financially secure.
He commented on the intense level of competition within the program, saying that money was not simply handed out; earnings depended on merit and opportunity.
Following the onset of a military operation in Ukraine, Bely left Russia. He and his wife, Olga, first settled in Antalya and subsequently relocated to Barcelona just before the birth of their daughter. He stated an intention to pursue a residence permit in Spain and to obtain a Spanish passport within a year.
In September 2023, the Russian Ministry of Justice added Ruslan Bely to the register of foreign agents. The agency asserted that he participated in creating messages and materials for foreign agents that reached a broad audience.
Earlier remarks from Bely indicated that laughter within the Comedy Club show was added during the editing process.