State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin proposed that citizens who show disrespect to Russian soldiers should be sent to Donbass in connection with an incident at a Moscow restaurant. A soldier from the Russian Aerospace Forces was reportedly denied entry to Magadan, a restaurant in the capital co-owned by Arkady Novikov.
Volodin suggested in his Telegram channel that, while the case is being discussed, the guards could be dismissed and the personnel sent to Donbass along with the restaurant owner. He implied that soldiers and officers who defended Russia deserve a respectful and grateful reception, and that the guards should be held accountable for the incident.
According to testimonies from staff at the establishment, the officer entered the restaurant in uniform to celebrate his mother’s birthday but was told to leave through the back entrance and not to cause alarm among other patrons. He recounted being asked to exit via a service entrance or through a flower bed so as not to disturb the guests.
Shortly after, the soldier’s mother arrived with federal media in tow, but the guards refused to apologize. The officer later stated to REN TV that a statement had been filed with the prosecutor’s office.
Observers noted that guests at the scene wore a range of outfits, from shorts to skirts, and debated whether the venue could be described as a club or a more formal dining space. State Duma deputy Alexander Khinshtein called for an investigation into the incident. He also noted that Arkady Novikov, the restaurant’s co-owner, was taken aback by the events.
Novikov responded that he would personally apologize for the staff’s missteps, though the soldier’s parents reportedly did not answer repeated calls. He remarked that the staff’s behavior had caused damage and that intervention was necessary. The owner said information circulated about disciplinary actions being taken, including staff dismissals and the termination of a contract with the organizer of the event, and that a video would be reviewed to confirm the steps taken. The director apologized to the soldier’s mother on record, and the parties involved continued to address the incident through formal channels.
Anton Pinsky, who co-owns Magadan and is associated with the Pinskiy&Co group, has a track record that includes leadership of a dining project recognized by industry awards in recent years. Pinsky is also connected to the Sagrado holding and has played a pivotal role in expanding hospitality ventures across Russia and beyond. The Magadan location is listed on a street known locally as a hub for dining and nightlife in the capital.