Mikhail Zadornov's House Demolished in Latvia

The new owners demolished the building down to its foundation and built a modern two-story cottage in its place. The new owners did not want to preserve the building associated with the comedian, who became known for his statements against Ukraine and support for Russian aggression, writes Delfi.lv.

Zadornov acquired the house in Jurmala in 1990 and spent a lot of time there — hosting journalists, friends, and representatives of Russian show business. The house had 10 rooms, including three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a fireplace.

After Zadornov's death in 2017, the house passed into the ownership of his first wife, Velta. She initially rented it out, and later sold it.

The new owners immediately contacted the city council and requested permission to demolish the building. The project for the new house was approved by the National Cultural Heritage Board of Latvia, as the land plot is located in an area of urban planning monument of national importance. Apparently, all necessary permits were obtained. Now, a modern stone house, valued at approximately 3 million euros, stands on the site of the old house.

Until 2014, Zadornov was one of the most popular Russian comedians and also performed in Ukraine; however, after the Maidan Revolution, his rhetoric sharply changed.

The satirist began systematically mocking Ukrainians, Euromaidan, the Ukrainian authorities, and the country's aspiration for integration with Europe. He claimed that Ukraine would go down in history as a country that "decided it no longer wanted to live in poverty, and so started living even worse."

He mocked Ukraine's desire to join the European Union and constantly repeated propagandistic narratives about the events in Donbas.

The humorist's words provoked a particularly strong reaction after Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, a Boeing 777, was shot down over Donbas in July 2014. Zadornov cynically joked that the plane crashed because it was "heavier than air." This was, in fact, a mockery of a tragedy that claimed the lives of 298 people.

Additionally, Zadornov supported the illegal annexation of Crimea and signed a letter expressing support for the Russian president. After this, he was banned from entering Ukraine.

Mikhail Zadornov was born in Jurmala in 1948, where his father, writer Nikolay Zadornov, settled at that time after moving from the Far East. He finished school and two courses at the Riga Polytechnic Institute in Riga, after which he moved to Moscow. Mikhail Zadornov is buried in Riga's Forest Cemetery next to his father's grave.

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