What is known about bankruptcy
Elena Blinovskaya, the blogger behind Marathon of Desires, along with her husband Alexey and her parents, faces bankruptcy proceedings. The situation was discussed by Blinovskaya’s legal representative, Natalia Salnikova, who noted ongoing court proceedings and asset seizure tied to privatization gains, including the apartment her parents own and their retirement accounts. The lawyer questioned how retirement assets could be treated as proceeds of wrongdoing, signaling a potential path where Elena, her husband, and her parents may be compelled to declare bankruptcy. He added that Elena may not be able to fully repay damages to the state, as the exact amount had not yet been established in the preliminary criminal investigation.
Salnikova also mentioned the seizure of a brother’s apartment, where Blinovskaya had lived with four children in the past. She stated that Aquaculture-Khibiny LLC and several other entities associated with Alexey Blinovskoy are likely to declare bankruptcy given the current circumstances.
Earlier, a publication in the Unified Federal Register of legally significant information indicated that Sberbank planned to seek a court decision to declare Elena’s husband bankrupt, asserting an overdue debt under a guarantee contract for a legal entity’s obligations.
Artur Airapetov, a member of the Moscow Chamber of Lawyers, warned that bankruptcy does not automatically relieve Blinovskaya’s debts. He noted that while bankruptcy could, in theory, help reduce liabilities, the reality for Ms. Blinovskaya is unlikely to result in debt cancellation due to her unique situation. He also raised the possibility that a court could view the bankruptcy as artificial and emphasized that bankruptcy does not erase criminal prosecution or liability for tax evasion.
Sale of the mansion
On January 25, it was reported that Blinovskaya appeared to be involved in the sale of her own mansion in the elite Millennium Park community in Istra, Moscow Region, priced at 599 million rubles. A luxury real estate agent noted that the announcement surfaced about a month before her transfer to a pretrial detention facility. The agent added that the sale would be conducted discreetly to protect the identity of the buyer. A close associate of Blinovskaya denied imminent sale plans, describing the listing as a marketing tactic used by some agents to attract high-end buyers. The approach reportedly suggests that initial inquiries come from VIP clients, with other properties later offered at lower prices.
Sources within Blinovskaya’s circle disputed the sale reports, claiming it is a marketing strategy rather than an actual transaction. The plan, they argued, involves presenting the estate as reserved for elite buyers before offering neighboring properties at reduced prices.
Voice theft and the blogger’s situation
Blinovskaya’s legal team reported that criminals have stolen biometric data and are attempting to extort money by impersonating the blogger in audio messages. The attackers even contacted Blinovskaya’s father, who warned that the criminals have reached friends by phone. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about identity misuse and social manipulation in high-profile cases.
A joint statement from journalists and industry associations urged the media not to label Blinovskaya as a blogger alone, arguing that she operates within the information business and is known for selling information products rather than traditional content creation or advertising integration. Critics claim her conduct casts a shadow on the wider industry.
Pretrial detention and ongoing investigations
On January 22, 2024, Moscow City Court extended preventive measures and ordered Blinovskaya held in a pretrial detention facility until April 26. Investigators cited a violation of house arrest terms after a New Year’s party with fifteen attendees, including a witness she was forbidden to contact. She was placed in a tight cell with twenty occupants, and her defense team appealed the decision.
Observers noted that the case could place Blinovskaya in a cramped facility with limited privileges. Reports described the isolation ward conditions and daily routines, including meals prepared off-site and limited personal contact with relatives. She faces multiple charges, including tax evasion, money laundering, and counterfeit payments, with potential penalties that could extend for years depending on the final rulings.