The leaders of seven public organizations in the Yaroslavl region appealed to Governor Mikhail Abreev demanding the cancellation of Philip Kirkorov's concert. The open letter was published by the head of the local branch of the Paratroopers' Union of Russia, Andrei Palachev.
According to the writers of the letter, the artist's behavior causes a "deep lack of respect" among a part of society, especially among military personnel and veterans.
"We express particular outrage in connection with the public actions of Philip Kirkorov, namely the episode where he demonstratively tore his vest," the appeal reads.
The authors called the vest and beret of the paratroopers sacred symbols for the paratroopers and noted that such treatment of the features of the military uniform by the families of the victims and the active servicemen could be perceived as a mockery of the memory of the soldiers.