Backlash over Racy Celebrity Party Highlights Shrinking Space for Counter-Culture in Russia
• A celebrity "Almost Naked" party in Moscow triggered backlash from Russia's political establishment for being too raunchy and deviating from conservative patriotism.
• Footage led to the arrest of a rapper for wearing just a sock, and calls for boycotts and investigations against the organizers.
• The scandal shows the shrinking space for anything diverging from conservative patriotism in Russia since its assault on Ukraine.
• Organizer Anastasia Ivleeva published a tearful apology video, while state TV host Vladimir Solovyov called attendees "beasts" and "scum."
• Attendees like pop star Filipp Kirkorov, media personality Ksenia Sobchak, and singer Dima Bilan also issued apologies amid the conservative spiral.