Overview
- Alexander Khinshtein said a concert for the BARS-Kursk brigade took place without command approval and criticized attempts to use the SVO zone to burnish reputations.
- The governor quoted the brigade as saying those who allowed the event without clearance will be punished.
- Akim Apachev told RIA Novosti he was invited to perform for BARS-Kursk and said he was unaware of any approval requirement.
- Apachev emphasized his long-running morale efforts, claiming more than 100 free performances for troops and recognition from the Russian Defense Ministry.
- The dispute follows an April court ruling that fined Apachev 70,000 rubles for offensive graffiti in Sudzha, a penalty his lawyer said would not be appealed.