In a move stirring controversy back home, Russia’s affluent celebrities have been seen reveling in Western luxury, much to the chagrin of politicians, soldiers, and pro-Kremlin media.
Social media is abuzz with images and clips of Russian influencers and socialites indulging in the high life—skiing, sipping champagne, and gracing a red carpet event in Courchevel, a renowned upscale resort in Europe, even as the conflict in Ukraine persists.
Notably present at these festivities in the French Alps was Ksenia Sobchak, 44, known as Vladimir Putin’s ‘goddaughter.’ A television personality and media mogul, Sobchak is the daughter of Anatoly Sobchak, who played a pivotal role in Putin’s early political journey after the fall of the Soviet Union.
This social media storm follows a glitzy event organized by the luxury fashion retailer Rendez-Vous, which transported an array of stars to Courchevel for its 25th anniversary celebration and to mark 16 years since the opening of its boutique at the resort.
Besides Sobchak, the event’s guest list included Oksana Samoylova, a 37-year-old influencer and mother of four with a massive Instagram following of 17 million, supermodel Lena Perminova, 38, who attended with her Ukrainian model boyfriend Taras Romanov, 29, and Alexander Rogov, a 44-year-old celebrity stylist currently hosting a show on Russia’s Channel One.
These influencers shared their daytime escapades on the slopes—skiing and snowboarding—culminating in a glamorous evening gala dinner, complete with a red carpet elegantly laid out on the snow.
Photos show venues including La Folie Douce, Courchevel’s famous après-ski hotspot, and Chalet de l’Écailler, a high-end seafood restaurant on the slopes.
According to conservative pro-war news outlet Tsargrad TV, the tour took place at a luxury hotel where rooms start at €8,600 a night (£7,450).
Russia’s super-rich celebrities have been partying in the hated West, sparking a furious backlash at home
Among those partying in the French Alps was Vladimir Putin’s own ‘goddaughter’ Ksenia Sobchak (pictured, right)
The backlash was immediate and brutal from Russia, where Putin has previously slapped down A-listers including Sobchak for partying during his bloody war
Guests were reportedly treated to oysters, prosciutto, jamón and premium alcohol, with one dinner alone costing up to 1 million rubles (£9,700).
Entertainment around the resort allegedly included private helicopter flights costing thousands of pounds.
The celebrities were accused of indulging in £560 a bottle Veuve Clicquot champagne and meals at La Folie Douce at £970 a head.
The backlash was immediate and brutal from Russia, where Putin has previously slapped down A-listers including Sobchak for partying during his bloody war in Ukraine, believing it undermines the sacrifices of his cannon fodder troops.
Prominent socialite commentator Bozhena Rynska wrote: ‘This isn’t just marketing nonsense…
‘It’s a challenge. It’s a loud, ‘F** you!’
She claimed that Courchevel – popular with the Putin rich set before the war – had now become ‘a symbol of sanctions evasion and public privilege’
Guests were reportedly treated to oysters, prosciutto, jamón and premium alcohol, with one dinner alone costing up to 1 million rubles (£9,700)
PR expert Milena Dorokhina said Russians were outraged ‘by the ostentatious luxury without regard for context
The Rendez-Vous event ‘irritates everyone at once: those who are for the war — they’re eating hazel grouse while the boys are dying — and those who are against it…
‘This is a case where a campaign manages to be disgusting to everyone.’
Propagandist pro-war ‘Z-channels’ exploded with rage, while REN TV – part of a media group headed by 73-year-old Putin’s lover Alina Kabaeva, 42 – quoted music producer Sergei Dvortsov, who said: ‘While our boys fight, giving their lives for us, our stars are having a blast, living in luxury with big money.
‘Their mistake is a show of wealth and luxury… in times of plague.’
PR expert Milena Dorokhina said Russians were outraged ‘by the ostentatious luxury without regard for context.
‘When a mass-market brand showcases private jets and Courchevel, it automatically causes irritation.’
Some videos even showed SVO fighters recording angry messages, accusing celebrities of partying while soldiers die.
‘You’re showing off your swagger while we’re spilling blood,’ one clip declared.
Ukrainian rescuers work to extinguish a burning petrol truck following an air attack in Kyiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian strikes killed one person and injured 23 others in Ukraine’s capital and the northeastern city of Kharkiv overnight, authorities said early on January 24, 2026
Ukrainian emmergency personnel work to extinguish a fire at the site of an air attack in Kyiv on January 24, 2026
Firebrand State Duma deputy Vitaly Milonov likened the partying to the work of the devil, urging Russians to boycott the Rendez-Vous brand.
The anger has also come from Rendez-Vous employees and customers, who say bonuses are being cut while management splashes millions abroad.
One comment said: ‘Disgusting! It would have been better to send the money to the guys at the front.’
An employee of Rendez-Vous complained: ‘This is how you ruin a brand — expensively and spectacularly.’
Even fashion gossip outlet Tatler’s Heroine mocked the spectacle as a ‘textbook on how to make everyone hate you.’
A furious commenter said: ‘They’re dominating Europe, humiliating it with Russian flags and champagne — while ordinary people are told to tighten their belts.’
Another said: ‘These aren’t Russians, they’re parasites.
‘Leave them there [in the West]. Lock the door from the inside.
‘The confiscated funds could keep the war going for years.’
Alina Mieva, marketing director of Rendez-Vous, defended the publicity trip, and said it also included private jet trips to Paris and Geneva – despite Western sanctions.
She said the company also ran such trips to Krasnodar region, close to the war zone.
