Max HeyraudRussian authorities raided three of Moscow’s most popular nightclubs early Friday morning. The operation, which began around 2a.m., saw hundreds of male clubgoers detained and taken to military conscription offices, marking a harrowing turn in the city’s nightlife.
Eyewitnesses reported a heavy police presence outside the venues, with paddy waggons and K9 units deployed as officers conducted a methodical sweep of the clubs. Female customers were mostly released after having their identification verified, whereas men were immediately detained.
The raids coincide with the one-year anniversary of Russia’s Supreme Court decision to classify the LGBTQ+ movement as an “extremist organisation,” a significant step forward in the country’s long-standing oppression of LGBTQ+ rights. President Vladimir Putin has constantly emphasised “traditional family values” as a cornerstone of his rule.
In addition, the head of the “Men Travel” tour agency was imprisoned under Russia’s anti-LGBT laws. Tass said that the 48-year-old is accused of organising a trip to Egypt for “supporters of nontraditional sexual values” during Russia’s New Year’s celebrations.
The raids have shaken Moscow’s electronic music and LGBTQ+ communities, sparking fears about the state’s expanding hold over cultural venues. These venues, important to Moscow’s defiant artistic culture, were among the last bastions of self-expression in a city where political and social liberties have been progressively restricted.
This operation has highlighted the dangerous situation of nightlife culture in Russia, especially for marginalised minorities who frequently seek sanctuary in these spaces. For many, Friday night’s events were more than a raid; they were a brutal reminder of the continued suffocating of creativity and freedom in contemporary Russia.
