Penis in Balenciaga sock could end up on the war front for Russian rapper Suspected poisoning: Putin propagandist found dead with her ex-husband

The relatively unknown Russian rapper Vacio was one of the many stars who enjoyed themselves in the Moscow club “Mutabor” on December 20. The motto was “almost naked”. Vacio, born Nikolai Vasiliev, took this to heart and showed up wearing only a sock over his best part. Anyway, not just any sock, but one from Balenciaga.

Whether it is a well-known brand or not, it did not matter to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The penis sock, like the whole company, really went against the grain for him. While the Russian public was mostly upset about people partying decadently half-naked while Russian troops endured cold trenches in Ukraine, Putin had other reasons. He wants to steer Russia in an even more conservative and anti-liberal direction, for which he, among other things, had the LGBTQ+ movement classified as terrorist on November 30, 2023.

The fact that less than a month later, well-known celebrities were dancing and flirting half-naked with each other at a party was a slap in the face. Especially since many participants were considered favorites of the Kremlin.

The disastrous drunken party

The big party took place over several days: from December 20 to 22, the basses sounded in the Moscow club Mutabor. While only celebrities were invited on the first night (and few tickets could be purchased for exorbitant prices), the club was also open to the public on December 21. The party was organized by famous blogger Anastasia ‘Nastya’ Ivleeva.

It didn’t take long for photos and videos of the event to circulate on social media. However revealing the images were, the Russian government kept a low profile; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not answer questions about it at media conferences. However, the organizer and all participants were torn apart by the Russian media. The propagandist and presenter Vladimir Solovyov criticized Telegram:

The rapper is threatened with the Russian front

Rapper Vacio received the receipt quickly: two days after the party, he was summoned to court and sentenced to 15 days in prison on charges of the infamous “gay propaganda” law. The reason for this was apparently a video of the Balenciaga sock being pulled off his penis. His objections that he had nothing to do with the LGBTQ movement were not heard.

According to the Russian daily Moskovsky-Komsomolets, when he was visited in prison by members of the Public Control Commission on January 7, he tried to defend himself again:

He further explained that the outfit was merely an artistic provocation. And he assured:

Vacio was scheduled to be released on January 5 after his 15 days in prison. Instead, according to his own statements, he was taken directly to the military registration and recruitment office near the Belorusskaya railway station, where he received a summons for January 9. He was then taken to the police and questioned again about the party. He then told how he cursed the people who took off his sock. Because of these insults, he was taken to court the next day and sentenced to a further ten days in prison.

Due to the additional 10 days in prison imposed on him, Vacio was unable to report for duty on January 9, the Russian daily Moskovsky Komsomolets continues. He also failed to undergo an earlier medical examination for military service in his native Yekaterinburg. For this reason, it is unlikely that he would be drafted.

Other celebrities are scared

Other party participants also fear repression. Shortly after the event, numerous famous faces were seen in apology videos attempting to regain favor with the Russian president. This also applies to blogger and presenter Ivleeva. In a 20-minute video, she told her entire life story and promised through tears that she loved the president and the country. In vain: she was fined 200,000 rubles (1,800 Swiss francs) for organizing the party. She also faces jail time after a tax evasion investigation was launched against her.

It is still unclear what will happen next with rapper Vacio. However, he has support from the music industry: the frontman of the group Puppies also appeared at a concert in St. Petersburg wearing only one sock.