Beauty influencer and cosmetics entrepreneur Rada Russkikh has publicly expressed an interest in the presidency of Russia. She conveyed this intention to her audience on social media, noting that the platform used for her message is part of a broader ecosystem that remains controversial in Russia due to concerns about moderation and governance of online spaces. The announcement, shared with her followers, positioned her as a candidate who would challenge established political figures while leveraging a high profile in the beauty industry to connect with voters and supporters around the country.
In a post featuring her own photograph taken at a well-known government building, Russkikh stated that she would stand as her own candidate in the presidential elections scheduled for this year. The language she used indicated a personal commitment to running and a belief in the legitimacy of her bid, presenting herself as a self-nominated contender who would bypass traditional party structures if necessary to advance her platform and priorities.
To corroborate the run, she shared an image of a formal appeal to the Central Election Commission, which referenced the date for a meeting of electors who would discuss and potentially endorse her candidacy for the presidency of the Russian Federation. The document indicated that the meeting would occur in Moscow on December 17, outlining the procedural steps ahead for the support process and the gathering of potential electors aligned with her campaign goals.
The 39-year-old blogger is widely recognized for her work as a professional makeup artist and the founder of a cosmetics brand. Beyond the realm of beauty, she has expressed interest in esotericism and magical practices, and in various interviews she has discussed a hedonistic-lifestyle philosophy and interest in alternative healing methods. This combination of public persona, creative entrepreneurship, and personal beliefs has contributed to a distinctive public profile that resonates with a segment of the electorate that values individuality, lifestyle branding, and unconventional approaches to wellness and self-expression.
Earlier in the city, a meeting was organized by an initiative group that publicly supported the election bid of Vladimir Putin, signaling the ongoing engagement of political factions and public groups in Moscow as the country gears up for the electoral cycle. The presence of such organized efforts provides context for the landscape in which new candidacies are introduced and debated in the public sphere, illustrating how political advocacy intersects with celebrity influence and business leadership.
Additionally, there have been public statements by other political figures regarding participation in the presidential elections. One such figure is a former defense minister from the Donetsk People’s Republic, Igor Strelkov, who has indicated an interest in taking part in the presidential race. This note highlights the broader spectrum of potential contenders and the diverse political currents that exist within the broader conversation about the election, ranging from regional leadership to international implications and security considerations.