Russian rapper Dzhigan, whose real name is Denis Ustimenko-Vainshtein, has denied reports that he shot a security guard and held hostages inside a residence.
The performer addressed the allegations in statements published by the Telegram channel Super on September 23, 2026. He described the reports circulating online as a provocation and insisted that the photographs and video footage being shared had been taken during the filming of a music video snippet.
Ustimenko-Vainshtein confirmed that he is currently staying in Israel. He stated that he traveled to the region, which he described as the holy land, in order to focus on his spiritual growth and personal enrichment while working on his music project.
Addressing criticism regarding the footage, the artist said that online critics had completely distorted the context of the recording. He added that he has no fear of facing legal action or being deprived of his parental rights as a result of the videos being released.
Viral Videos and Family Concerns
The controversy began after videos surfaced on social media platforms showing his children inside a home, hiding in wardrobes and cupboards. In the video recordings, the children appeared to be saying goodbye to their mother and pleading for someone to save them while gunfire was allegedly directed at security personnel on the property.
During the incident depicted in the video clips, his 15-year-old daughter, Ariela, remained in direct contact with her mother, Russian model and media personality Oksana Samoylova. Samoylova was traveling in Milan, Italy, at the time the videos were published online.
Background and Industry Context
Dzhigan, born Denis Ustimenko-Vainshtein, is a widely recognized figure in the Russian entertainment industry, known for his long career in hip-hop and popular music. He and Samoylova have been married for several years and frequently document their family life and business ventures for millions of online followers.
The Telegram channel Super, which broke the artist's response, is a popular digital news outlet covering celebrity news, culture and social media trends in Russia. The publisher frequently reports on high-profile public figures across the music and fashion sectors.
Samoylova was staying in Milan, a major European fashion capital known for hosting international style events, when the footage of her children circulated online. No official police charges or formal legal proceedings against the rapper have been reported following his public statement.
