Russian Rapper Dzhigan Seeks Treatment in Israel After Alleged Home Incident

Russian rapper Dzhigan, whose real name is Denis Ustimenko-Vaynstein, is undergoing treatment at a private rehabilitation center in Israel. Russian Telegram channel SHOT reports that his treatment began after a serious incident at his home near Moscow. The artist, reportedly in an altered state, allegedly fired shots at household staff and security guards, holding them captive for approximately ten hours. Dzhigan himself has confirmed his presence at the Israeli rehabilitation center, sharing photos and videos from the location, a fact also corroborated by his father. However, the artist has not publicly disclosed the specific reason for his treatment. According to SHOT, the standard rehabilitation program lasts about a month, costs around two million rubles (approximately $71,000), and includes accommodation, round-the-clock monitoring, and psychological and medical support. The program may be extended if specialists deem it necessary. Russian media also claim that rapper Morgenshtern previously underwent a five-month treatment at the same facility.

The incident reportedly occurred on the night of July 3-4 in Dzhigan's home in the "Chateau Sovereign" cottage village. Sources suggest Dzhigan believed those around him were enemies. He allegedly armed himself with a "Saiga-9" or a similar-looking pneumatic weapon and gathered staff and guards for a "interrogation." He accused them of betrayal, leaking information, and nationalism. One guard was allegedly accused of child sexual abuse and forced to confess under threat of the weapon before Dzhigan reportedly fired at him, wounding his arm and leg. The rapper then allegedly threatened others in the house. Independent confirmation of these details is currently unavailable. Dzhigan's children were reportedly in the house during the incident, hiding and contacting their mother, Oksana Samoilova, who was in Italy at the time and reportedly returned urgently. Police and other security personnel arrived at the scene. Mash claims Dzhigan resisted attempts to calm him, but was eventually subdued. Despite the guard's injuries, no police reports were filed, according to reports.

Dzhigan's entourage reportedly links his current treatment to attempts to reconcile with his ex-wife, Oksana Samoilova, from whom he divorced in April 2026. They have four children. Sources suggest Dzhigan hopes to reunite with Samoilova and rebuild their family, which is also connected to his increased interest in Judaism. This interest predates his current treatment, as he participated in a Jewish organization's cruise in 2023 and visited Israel again in the summer of 2024, a visit that caused a diplomatic incident with Ukraine's embassy over his participation in an Israeli tourism campaign.

Dzhigan, born in Odesa, Ukraine, in 1985, has a history of interest in his Jewish heritage, with his maternal great-grandmother having survived the Holocaust. He has previously been reported to be interested in Israeli citizenship. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, Dzhigan publicly supported Israel, posting Israeli flags and expressing solidarity. However, he also publicly supported Russia's invasion of Ukraine, his birth country, leading to Ukrainian sanctions against him.