Danish rapper's Russian dream becomes a nightmare
8:28 AM EDT, August 23, 2024
Nicklas Hoffgaard, a Danish rapper known by the alias Stanley Most, fulfilled his dream in 2023 and moved to Russia. However, his expectations clashed with reality.
The grass is always greener on the other side. We often dream of moving to Italy, Spain, or southern France, but when all the pros and cons are weighed, the advantages of their home country usually prevail.
Deciding to move abroad is a significant step that should be preceded by thorough research. Otherwise, one might be unpleasantly surprised by issues like expensive healthcare, the lack of home heating customs, or mandatory military service.
He dreamed of living in Russia. He miscalculated badly
We've already covered stories of people who abandoned their former lives to move to Russia. It's an intriguing choice, especially considering that the country has been under global scrutiny since the aggression against Ukraine.
However, media reports were not enough to dissuade the Danish rapper Nicklas Hoffgaard, 33, known as Stanley Most. He went to Russia last year and is now facing serious consequences.
He went from Denmark to Russia. He was summoned to the front
The rapper decided to move due to the "deteriorating political climate” in Europe. Initially, he was welcomed with open arms in Russia. Hoffgaard received a residence card and applied for Russian citizenship. That’s when his troubles began. To expedite the bureaucratic processes, the Dane decided to sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense. He hoped to choose his military assignment and serve as a Siberia border guard or an English translator.
His hopes were in vain. By January 2024, he was in the center of the fighting, serving in one of the Luhansk detachments. Hoffgaard reported that soldiers in his unit forced him to drink vodka and suggested he was spying for the USA and Denmark. He was displeased with the conditions and the necessity of active combat, so he withdrew from the contract with the Ministry of Defense. His lawyer argued that he did not know what he agreed to because his signed document was in Russian.
The case went to court. The request was initially rejected, then accepted on appeal. The Danish rapper's ultimate fate will be decided by the Military Cassation Court in Novosibirsk.
