Russian actor Maksim Vitorgan was forced to hide from shelling in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi while celebrating his 54th birthday.
The star of Election Day and Radio Day informed his online followers that he had been celebrating his 54th birthday when the emergency occurred. Vitorgan noted that he was required to evacuate the building due to the threat of an aerial attack, but emphasized that hotel employees handled the situation with calm and confidence.
Evacuation during birthday celebration
Writing on his personal Telegram channel, Vitorgan stated that Sochi had become the fourth city in which he has been forced to hide from shelling of varying severity. The actor explained that he can now easily distinguish between the distinct sounds made by different types of air defence systems, incoming drones, and ballistic missiles.
Vitorgan added that his parents never had to learn such military skills. The actor is the son of renowned Soviet theatrical figures Emmanuil Vitorgan and Alla Balater. Born in Moscow, he trained at the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts before starring in numerous Russian theatrical productions, television series, and feature films, including the popular satirical comedies Election Day and Radio Day.
The actor had previously departed Russia against the backdrop of the special military operation in Ukraine. Sochi, a major resort city situated on the Black Sea coast in southwestern Russia, is widely known as a popular tourist destination and the host city of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
Russian actor Kirill Safonov missing in Israel
Vitorgan is not the only Russian cultural figure to face unexpected security threats while living or travelling outside Moscow. Fellow actor Kirill Safonov, who also left Russia following the start of the special military operation, was recently reported missing by worried fans in Israel following military strikes launched by Iran against targets in the country.
Safonov, who has starred in numerous Russian feature films and television series, had been residing in Israel after relocating from Moscow. Admirers of the actor raised concerns after noticing that he had stopped getting in touch and ceased all communications on social media shortly before the bombardment began.
