Actors defend Aglaya Tarasova in drug smuggling case

On November 26, actors Leonid Yarmolnik, Yevgeny Tsyganov, and Yulia Snigir testified in defense of actress Aglaya Tarasova at the Domodedovo Court in the Moscow Region. She is accused of smuggling drugs after hashish oil was found in her vape at the airport.
Nov 27, 2025
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Actors Leonid Yarmolnik, Yevgeny Tsyganov, and Yulia Snigir providing testimony in support of Aglaya Tarasova during the court hearing.
Source:
Mikhail Mechev / MSK1.RU

The atmosphere of a red carpet at a prestigious film festival enveloped the Domodedovo Court in the Moscow Region — on November 26, actors Leonid Yarmolnik, Yevgeny Tsyganov, and Yulia Snigir spoke at the hearing for Aglaya Tarasova. The defendant, recall, is accused of drug smuggling (Article 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code) after a vape with hashish oil was found on her at the airport.

Leonid Yarmolnik said that he has known Tarasova for about five years and never noticed her using drugs. According to him, Aglaya is incredibly disciplined, kind, and tactful. He considers what happened an accident.

«Aglaya is a very talented young actress who has proven herself to a multi-million audience,» added Yarmolnik. «Everyone awaits her appearances on screen. She is a very bright actress, very talented, and a top-class professional. The profession is not only her craft but also the meaning of her life.»

Yevgeny Tsyganov called Tarasova an exceptionally responsible person; he never saw the actress drunk and does not recall her acting dishonestly.

«It would be a great pity if Aglaya lost such an opportunity [to travel around the country] because of this tragic foolishness,» he said.

Yulia Snigir has known Tarasova for about 10 years; she also characterizes her colleague positively.

«Aglaya always seemed to me a very responsive and empathetic person, very kind, and collected and responsible on the set,» Snigir testified in court. «As an actress, I can say that Aglaya is currently at the peak of her career. Of course, I can«t imagine what it»s like if a career ends for one reason or another.»

Also, Aglaya Tarasova«s mother, Ksenia Rappoport, came to court.

Ksenia Rappoport attending the court proceedings for her daughter Aglaya Tarasova«s drug smuggling case.
Source:
Mikhail Mechev / MSK1.RU

Aglaya Tarasova herself admitted guilt and repented. She looks tired, as if about to cry.

Tarasova said that she tried the vape a few times, which was «lying around» in her aunt«s apartment in Israel, and then it broke. The vape was given to her by a friend in Tel Aviv in 2022.

«Robert told me that it was made entirely from plant components. I didn»t know the exact composition, but I assumed there might be a minor cannabis component, since Robert uses it in some medicines in his company. In Israel, all this is freely available, legal, and popular,» Aglaya explained.

The actress didn«t pay attention to the vape when packing for Moscow — so it ended up in her luggage.

«I deeply regret that my actions led to such consequences. And these three months that I spent as an accused have been very difficult,» the girl admitted.

Ksenia Rappoport and Aglaya Tarasova together in the courtroom during the trial over drug allegations.
Source:
Mikhail Mechev / MSK1.RU

To atone for her guilt, she donated a large sum to the charity foundation «Protect Children from Drugs». She had been involved in charity work even before the case was initiated, according to the actress — «all her life». In court, lawyers confirmed this with acknowledgments from the foundations «House with a Lighthouse», «Butterfly Children», «Give Life».

Also, director Alexey German, actors Alexander Tsypkin, Milos Bikovic, Sergey Bezrukov, Dmitry Nagiyev, producer Sergey Selyanov defended Tarasova — they wrote her a positive character reference.

For now, Aglaya Tarasova is under a ban on certain actions. She is prohibited from leaving her residence from midnight to 6 a.m., attending mass events, speaking with witnesses, and using the internet.

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