The funeral arrangements were put in doubt following the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall. The Egrisi football club group, owned by Vasily Utkin, confirmed that the goodbye ceremony would proceed as planned in March. The news spread quickly, and many fans chose not to attend in person due to the danger surrounding the city, while a larger number still made the trek through the cold and rain to honor the commentator.
Outside the Krylatskoye metro station, where attendees gathered, a vigil of candles formed a symbolic memorial for those who had fallen the day before. The glow of the flames created a poignant backdrop for the moment.
Security measures intensified at the perimeter of the Central Clinical Hospital, where the farewell hall was located. Police and traffic officers conducted screenings, and some attendees carried protective gear. The scene underscored the heightened vigilance surrounding public gatherings.
The farewell began at 11:00 a.m. among Vasily Utkin’s close circle. Friends and colleagues offered warm words, including former Echo of Moscow deputy editor Sergei Buntman, and commentators Denis Kazansky and Mikhail Mossakovsky. Writer Stanislav Gridasov also spoke. Utkin’s elder sister Anna delivered a heartfelt address, recounting how his love for football began with table football and grew into a lifelong passion.
The ceremony featured a flower-laying segment in which musicians Alexey Kortnev of the group Accident and members of Quadruple I paid tribute. Utkin had participated in film projects with them, including Election Day and its sequel, where he played the role of a governor candidate. Other attendees included notable figures such as Alexey Nakitintov, once editor-in-chief of Echo of Moscow, as well as artists, athletes, and sports officials. The crowd reflected a broad spectrum of the football world and cultural community, all seeking to honor Utkin’s memory.
A large presence gathered at the hall’s entrance, including leaders from the Russian Premier League and prominent coaches. Politicians and public figures associated with the sport were also present, underscoring Utkin’s wide influence across clubs and leagues.
The turnout prompted the funeral to begin earlier than initially planned. Several hundred mourners, some traveling from other cities, filled the venue to bid farewell to the broadcaster whose voice had resonated beyond the borders of the hospital complex.
After the service, attendees were allowed to pay their respects, laying flowers and leaving club memorabilia as keepsakes. Items included a Lokomotiv Moscow scarf and Spartak fan stickers, along with small mementos. The farewell extended into the afternoon, running longer than the original schedule.
As the proceedings concluded, Utkin’s coffin was carried by pallbearers to gentle applause. The hearse then departed for the Nikolsko-Trubetskoye cemetery, located near the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Balashikha. Utkin, a native of the area, spent his childhood nearby, making the final journey feel especially meaningful. The event and its rituals reflected a community’s effort to honor a figure who bridged sports journalism and popular culture, leaving an enduring impression on fans, colleagues, and friends.