From being under house arrest to becoming a cultural brand: the way Serdyukov’s associate transforms a history of corruption into an art gallery on Ostozhenka

Evgeniya Vasilyeva, a key figure in the high-profile corruption scandal over massive embezzlement in the Ministry of Defense and a close friend of former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, has opened her own gallery in Moscow’s most prestigious district — on Ostozhenka.

The space is located in a pre-revolutionary income house from the early 20th century, built before the revolution and having survived the shifts of eras — from elite housing in the imperial capital to today’s “golden mile.”

The new gallery appeared just a few minutes from Molochny Lane, where Vasilyeva first served her house arrest and now lives with former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.

The opening featured an exhibition with the philosophical title “To Be.” The collection includes works by contemporary artists such as Lika Cereteli, Valeriya Gai Germanika, and others. The concept revolves around reflections on freedom, personal choice, and the spiritual path.

All of this is presented as a new cultural statement, although the figure of the gallery’s owner gives the whole event a very different, far more down-to-earth meaning.