Yakutian Celebrities Share Their New Year Celebrations Across the Globe
New Year«s social media feeds were split into two camps: cozy family get-togethers in Yakutia and vibrant shots from abroad. Yakutians welcomed the incoming year 2026 in different ways: some returned from afar to their homeland, others started a romance or are preparing to give birth, while others closed their businesses or were labeled as fraudsters. And 14.RU is reviewing everyone so you can find out where, with whom, and how famous Yakutians celebrated the January holidays.
Head of Yakutia Visits His Parents
Head of Yakutia Aisen Nikolaev, even back in the era when Instagram was legal (an extremist organization, banned in Russia), often talked about his family. Yakutians know that he not only harbors tender feelings for his wife Lyudmila Valeryevna and daughters but also visits his parents when possible. During these January holidays, Il Darkhan finally carved out a day from his busy work schedule to relax with his family in the Verkhnevilyuysky District.
«During these holiday days, I managed to spend time with my parents in Verkhnevilyuysk. Being near my mother always brings calm and a special warmth,» wrote Aisen Nikolaev in his Telegram channel.
Lina Malina Fulfilled a Dream — Flew to the Maldives
Blogger Lina Malina celebrated New Year with her family in Yakutsk, but immediately flew to Moscow for the January holidays, and from there — to the Maldives to fulfill her long-standing dream. Moreover, the dates coincided with an equally important holiday — the famous realtor, mother of two boys, and businesswoman celebrated her birthday on January 6 on the plane. Lina«s family spent all the January holidays on the shores of the Indian Ocean.
«If we had flown to another country, then, knowing myself, I»m 100% sure I would have booked all sorts of excursions from 6–7 a.m., traveled to sights and historical, beautiful, cultural locations; I wouldn«t have rested myself and wouldn»t have let my family rest. In general, if you«re already very tired from daily tasks and work, the Maldives — is definitely the perfect place to fly to, to get away from yourself,» wrote Lina in her blog.
Nyurguyana Cholbon Visited a Moscow Amusement Park
The daughter of former city council deputy, head doctor of Polyclinic No. 1 Alevtina Everstova, hereditary magician, energy practitioner, and simply beauty Nyurguyana Cholbon celebrated the New Year holidays in Moscow. On her social media, she published photos from Europe«s largest indoor amusement park with a waterfront, »Dream Island.« Also, on January 3, Nyurguyana celebrated her birthday.
Upon returning to Yakutsk, Nyurguyana immersed herself back into the world of magic — from January 13, «Days of Tankha» began at the House of Archy, and the girl received clients for a whole week, helping them peek into the future and giving kind guidance.
Maya Kotletka Became a Fraudster?
Blogger and mentor, former owner of the semi-finished products factory Maya Yegorova, whom all Yakutia knows as «Maya Kotletka,» did not have a very cheerful New Year celebration. Towards the end of December, the blogger decided to open a warehouse and take orders for goods from China. But by December 31, these orders hadn«t arrived, and to retrieve them, the delivery cost increased. Clients weren»t happy. The girl was immediately accused of fraud, which she reported on her Instagram (an extremist organization, banned in Russia).
Fortunately, the situation was resolved. Maya wrote that 500 kilograms of goods from China did arrive in Yakutsk, and all found their recipients. During this difficult time, Maya had support, a strong male shoulder — finally after failures in her personal life, the blogger started a serious romance. Maya welcomed the chimes with the general director of the tool and construction equipment rental salon Cool Tool, Murad Azizov. Maya«s page is full of photos of their happy life and, of course, plans for the future.
Paulina Turmel Took the Stage
Socialite, model, influencer, and one of the most enchanting and sexy Yakutian women, Paulina Turmel, fulfilled her long-standing dream — for the New Year, she took the stage and sang a duet with pop artist Ivan Lavrentyev at the «Two Stars» concert.
«A very cool experience, it turns out I dreamed of the stage, of creative uplift in childhood, and huge thanks to everyone for fulfilling my dream and for your support,» wrote Paulina on her Instagram (an extremist organization, banned in Russia).
Subscribers were delighted. «A beauty, a clever girl, and talented too. How can so much good fit in one person?» her fans wonder.
For Paulina, this is not the first experience — she previously participated in plays and musical productions, for example at the Estrada Theater.
Ivan Lutskan Went Ice Fishing
Head doctor of the Yakut Republican Ophthalmological Hospital, deputy of the Il Tumen (State Assembly of the Sakha Republic) Ivan Lutskan fulfilled a long-standing dream, as he told in his Telegram channel ahead of the New Year: he visited munkha (traditional Sakha ice fishing for crucian carp).
«Before this, I planned many times and always something happened: either the car breaks down, or the weather turns bad, or a sudden business trip, but here everything worked out well. And I worked with an ice chisel, made holes, caught and pulled out the net with a pole and hook. Good that I took my eldest son, who also got into the thrill of fishing and tried everything. Teamwork on this fishing — is the most important thing,» wrote Ivan Petrovich.
He thanked the residents of the village of Matta in the Megino-Kangalassky District for their hospitality and the opportunity to make his wish come true.
Yevgeny Grigoryev Hit the Punching Bag
Mayor of Yakutsk Yevgeny Grigoryev spent the New Year holidays benefitting his health — he went to a boxing training session.
«Fitness greetings! After a tour with the utilities block, a colleague and I decided to warm up on the ring. Wishing everyone a good weekend,» Grigoryev captioned his post on Telegram.
The mayor is known for his great love of a healthy lifestyle and fighting illegal alcohol sales in Yakutsk. Last year, he was mentioned in Artemy Lebedev«s blog. The reason was Yevgeny Grigoryev»s decision to pour expensive alcohol, given to him for some event, down the sink. Lebedev recommended that gift-givers first study the mayor«s preferences, learn more about him, and then come with a present.
You can read an candid interview with Yevgeny Grigoryev in our article.
Kydaana Went to Her Mom«s
Meanwhile, resident of Artemy Lebedev«s studio, artist-designer Kydaana Ignatieva escaped from warm Moscow to cold Yakutia to her mom in the Churapchinsky District. Before that, Kydaana visited the Peasant Market to take a photo with a giant Yakut fish.
This photo format has become quite popular among tourists. And this January, Yakutia was visited by many bloggers from Russia and beyond.
The girl has been living in Moscow for three years, building a very successful career. But Yakutians are unlikely to forget her: the facades of several houses in Yakutsk are decorated with her murals. As the author of a large street art project, she transformed previously dreary city buildings, for example the dormitory at 21 Kirov Street.
Angélika Nazarova Didn«t Go Anywhere
Another socialite, first vice-miss Yakutia — 2012 Angélika Nazarova did not leave Yakutia for the New Year. The girl celebrated the holidays with her best friend Nastya Uvarova, better known due to the scandal with journalist Suzanna Rozhina in the extortion case. Angélika and Nastya spent the weekend at the Narada country cottage in the Khangalassky District, near Pokrovsk, which rents for more than 20,000 rubles per day (about $200 at current rates).
Stolyarchik Ditched Cakes and Flew to Give Birth in Brazil
Famous confectioner from Yakutsk Maria Stolyarchik, who dedicated 10 years of her life to her craft, surprised her followers with the news that she is closing her cake-baking business, her firm «Dyedyen» («Strawberry») is shutting down. Everything is because Maria is moving to Brazil with her children, and without her husband. It turned out that the girl is already 36 weeks pregnant.
Maria, together with a friend, covered the distance from Yakutia to South America, spent over 29 hours on a plane with small children, all to end up on the island of Larinopolis. Maria firmly decided to give birth to her third child in Brazil, to obtain a «world passport» — a Brazilian passport grants visa-free access to 171 countries.
«20,000 kilometers behind, for the first time we crossed the Atlantic and found ourselves on another continent, in the largest country in South America — Brazil. We are not just brave, we are courageous women, dreaming of giving our children the opportunity to be free world citizens,» wrote Stolyarchik on her social media.
Some Yakutians wrote that «Stolyarchik is crazy,» condemned the blogger for such a strange sudden impulse, criticizing her for the risk at such a late stage of pregnancy, since she really crossed an entire ocean (albeit by plane). Others, on the contrary, decided to support Maria and wished her an easy birth, sending heartfelt comments under her posts from abroad.
Stolyarchik herself admitted that her trip to Brazil — is an escape not from the cold of Yakutia, but from pre-New Year bustle, rush jobs, and obligatory «holiday» mood. But the girl was tired of working right up to December 31, closed the business, and is now thinking only about childbirth. So the escape turned out to be a necessary measure to slow down, «listen to the ocean, calm down, and gather strength before the greatest miracle.»
Stolyarchik took the criticism lightly: «For some, this is a risk. For others — an opportunity. There is no right or wrong reaction. There is only a different view on the same path,» wrote the blogger.
Saina Celebrated New Year in a New Home
One of the most famous Yakutian women in the world, artist and singer, who glorified the republic in international competitions, Saina celebrated the New Year in her own house. For her, this became a real achievement.
«We realized our dreams — for the first time in our lives, our first home, our first Christmas tree, our first New Year! I congratulate all friends on the birthday of the new, 2026 year and wish everyone to dream and believe, listen to your heart, move forward and not give up,» wrote Saina on social media.
The singer dreamed for many years of having a roof over her head in Yakutsk, repeatedly appealed to the government and, in particular, to the regional Ministry of Culture for support, as she wrote in the media and on social media. But she managed to start building the house only a couple of years ago, during the most difficult period, when the coronavirus pandemic was raging in Yakutia. But Saina was helped by sponsors and the Yakutsk city administration. So ahead of 2026, Saina finally found a home for herself and her son.
Ayaal Lazarev Went to the USA
His new year was celebrated in America by titled wrestler, heavyweight Ayaal Lazarev with Raúl Rosas Jr. — a young and promising Mexican-American mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, competing in UFC under the nickname El Niño Problema (The Problem Boy). Ayaal trains and travels with him to this day, conquering America.
Ayaal Lazarev stood on the podium six times at Asian championships, and also became a bronze medalist at the individual World Cup and Asian Games. He is an Honored Master of Sports of Kyrgyzstan. In 2024, he participated in the Olympic Games and placed 5th. At the age of 38, Lazarev left his sports career.
During the January holidays, Ayaal visited Los Angeles, New York, and jumped from the about 252-meter The STRAT tower in Las Vegas. It seems the titled wrestler is living his best life right now: traveling a lot, practicing wrestling, meeting famous world UFC stars, playing golf, and celebrating the New Year far from Yakutian cold.
«Everyone has a fear of something that paralyzes and causes a panic attack: for some it»s darkness, for others insects, and so on, for me it«s heights. Deciding to jump was very, very difficult. When you look down from a cliff, where everything is visible like tiny dots. I»ll be honest, as it is, I <...> got a good dose of adrenaline, but I once again became convinced that fear — is just emotions that can and should be controlled,« wrote Ayaal in his blog.
Gala Borzova Got Married
World-class fashion stylist, Yakutian Gala Borzova ended 2025 with a significant event — she got married. Her chosen one is Vitaly Barabanov, a known artist and sculptor. «P.S. On me, as per tradition: something new, something old, and something borrowed!» — wrote the bride, sharing shots after the registration at the Wedding Palace on Furshtatskaya — one of the most recognizable and atmospheric locations in St. Petersburg.
Gala has been in a relationship with Vitaly for a long time, they are raising a daughter. In the coming year, Gala wished everyone to meet their better half and to love, as she does.
«Because a person without love — is an unfinished sentence, there is meaning, but no completion,» wrote Gala.
Nika Found Love, But Not Support?
Society did not take warmly the news that Honored Artist of Yakutia, public favorite, and owner of an incredibly gentle voice Nika (Olga Spiridonova) started a relationship with an unknown Vlasii Vyrdylin, who calls himself Saңarar Bylaas. The man presents himself as the creator of an artificial intelligence program for studying and engaging with the language and culture of Yakutia.
Their relationship began back in 2023, long before the couple started publicizing their romance. However, when before the New Year Vlasii published their joint photo, and Nika made a post from their joint New Year celebration, Yakutians sharply criticized the famous artist«s choice.
As subscribers wrote, Vlasii allegedly had «bad abusive» relationships in the past. But Nika blocked all commentators, making it clear that she would not allow her life to be discussed in a negative light.
«When Vlasii and I started making AI clips, we gradually grew closer. And last fall we decided to be together. Soon we had a child. Vlasii»s daughter moved in with us, to this day we live together under one roof. We are both public people, so I think it«s better to tell about our relationship. We share a worldview and ideas, so we work together,» wrote Nika.
Vlasii dedicates love poems to the singer, assuring that they are made for each other, works on the artificial intelligence program, and does not react to commentators« aggression.
Irina Matveeva Traveled to Bali
Another dream came true for the founder of the Skintime brand Irina Matveeva — she escaped with her family from cold Yakutsk to Bali «to swim with wild dolphins» near the village of Lovina.
For her followers, the businesswoman detailed the journey, shared secrets of the best rest abroad, and also the cost of such relaxation.
«We really liked the Bali Safari. Many animals that you can feed, clean, well-maintained territory. We even fed predators! Cost — 650,000 rupiah per person,» wrote Irina.
Anton Vasilyev Picked Up Trash Again
The New Year turned out to be the most ordinary for the public activist, chief kind-hearted man of Yakutia Anton Vasilyev, who for 20 years on a voluntary basis has been picking up trash in Yakutsk. He met this holiday again at work — picking up others« trash from the streets and cleaning bus stops.
«A request came about the condition of the »Botanical Garden« bus stop. When the city can»t, I help. I took a shovel and an ice axe. Within twenty minutes, I cleaned everything. From the first day of the new year, I continue to do good deeds. I congratulate everyone on the New Year,« wrote Anton on his Instagram (an extremist organization, banned in Russia).
Anton wrote that the city hasn«t been able to pay him a salary for the work done since November 2025, but he continues to work every day.
«For November, they haven»t transferred it. But I continue to work,« he wrote under his post.
According to Anton, he works for three districts: Central, Gubinsky, and Oktyabrsky. He works several hours a day. Most often, he picks up trash on Oktyabrskaya, Oyunskogo, Kalandarishvili, Petrovskogo, Lermontova, Kirova, Ordzhonikidze, Fyodor Popov, Vilyuisky Trakt streets, and others.
