Kanye West has arrived in Moscow, Russian state and independent media reported today.
The US rapper’s presence in the city will be seen as a propaganda coup for dictator Vladimir Putin. Most Western stars have shunned Moscow - once a money-spinning venue for performers - since the start of Russia ’s illegal war against Ukraine two years ago.
Prominent producer Yana Rudkovskaya revealed his arrival, saying: "Kanye West is already in Moscow! This is super news! Staying in the very heart of the capital! Fingers crossed for the show at Luzhniki! [stadium]."
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Earlier she had claimed the American star would appear in Moscow for a concert in the autumn. "I am involved in this,” she boasted, yet there has been no official confirmation. There were denials of any immediate performance.
Footage purported to show him in the Moscow subway, with Moskvichka showbiz outlet reporting the reason for his visit was to mark the birthday of Russian designer Gosha Rubchinsky, and not for a concert.
More video reportedly showed him at a five star hotel close to the Kremlin, following a reported arrival by private plane. Putin-controlled state media outlet RIA Novosti reported West being in Moscow, as the war channel Zvezda, mouthpiece of the Russian defence ministry, which is spearheading the war against Ukraine.
