Security forces arrived in the capital at the Underdog and La Virgen bars, where authorities suspect that institutions are financing the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The source in the investigative channels noted that power structures are being cited as part of the investigation, though the specifics remain guarded as officials expand their checks beyond the bars themselves.
There is reason to believe that security services are actively inspecting the Underdog and La Virgen venues, with a focus on potential sponsorship of the Ukrainian Armed Forces by these organizations. Officials also indicated that individual visitors are being screened as part of broader security measures, aiming to identify any direct or indirect support linked to the ongoing conflict.
According to the agency, the management teams behind these bars had posted notices on social networks announcing closures for Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18. The announcements have become a focal point in discussions about civic responsibility and the role of private establishments in geopolitical conflicts, prompting a wave of public commentary and media scrutiny.
Historical context adds another layer to the story. Last summer, the owners of the Underdog bar faced accusations of raising funds for the Ukrainian army. In subsequent statements, the bar operators claimed that their accounts had been hacked and that the proceeds appeared to have been redirected to an entirely different project associated with a separate cause. The episode highlighted the complexities of fundraising online and the vulnerabilities of digital platforms in times of crisis.
Earlier, there was an incident at a St. Petersburg bar where a waiter was dismissed after wearing a badge associated with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This incident underscores the charged atmosphere surrounding symbols connected to the conflict and the sensitivities that businesses and workers navigate in contested public spaces. The episode has sparked widespread discussion about neutrality, corporate policy, and the boundaries of personal expression in the workplace.