Russian security forces raid Moscow swingers club in search of ‘LGBT propaganda’

Russian security forces raided a Moscow swingers club in the early hours of Thursday morning, state-owned news agency RIA Novosti has reported.

A law enforcement source told RIA Novosti that the raid was carried out as a “preventive measure” which was “based on suspicion of LGBT propaganda”. It is unclear whether anyone was detained in the raid.

Footage published by RIA Novosti showed party-goers being placed face down on the floor. The attendees appeared to be evenly split between men and women.

A staff member from the club, named Bizarre, later confirmed on Telegram that the raid had gone ahead, while playing down its significance.

“It was absolutely nothing to worry about. It was a regular unscheduled inspection by our state authorities. They identified a number of minimal violations that do not affect the work of the club,” she said, before advising clients that the club would be open again for business as usual Thursday evening again.

Independent news channel ASTRA said that the security forces raided Bizarre as it was hosting a “Milfs of Ancient Greece” event.

Moscow’s nightlife scene has changed dramatically amid police raids and increased persecution of queer Russians since the country’s Supreme Court outlawed the “international LGBT movement” in 2023, with last autumn witnessing a wave of raids by police officers on queer venues in the city to scrutinise compliance with increasingly homophobic legislation.

Armed police have been known to terrify revellers, forcing them to lie face down on the floor, sometimes for hours at a time, beating and humiliating customers while checking documents and phones.