Battle of Psychics, Season 25

She relied on "connection with spirits" and ancestral energy. Varvara called herself a graveyard practitioner and shaman, claiming to be assisted by a spirit named Kekhno. During her work, her voice noticeably changed—this was presented as a sign of "contact."
She utilized northern and cemetery aesthetics and rituals. She often worked with attributes reminiscent of Karelian and northern mysticism, performing purification rituals and "reading" the energy of a place. She combined mysticism with her medical expertise. Varvara worked as a nurse during the day, and she emphasized that her knowledge of anatomy and physiology helped her better sense the "boundary between worlds." During trials, this manifested itself in her very specific descriptions of people's conditions—sometimes in frightening detail.
She emphasized family protection and the memory of ancestors. Her interpretations often explored themes of family curses, family secrets, "family debts," and ancestral support. She lived the characters' stories emotionally. If a situation was difficult (especially one involving death), Varvara didn't try to smooth it over: she openly showed how difficult it was for her and said she was "taking some of the pain upon herself."
Highlights of the season

Features of the format
Participants use various "methods": Tarot cards, rituals, "reading" objects, working with photographs, etc.
There are spin-offs like "Psychics. Battle of the Strongest" and "Psychics. Revenge," featuring winners, finalists, and those looking for revenge.
After each test in the "Battle of Psychics", something like this happens:

Psychics offer their interpretations. Each participant takes turns describing what they "felt" or "saw": naming details, emotions, and versions of events. This is often done right on the spot—at the subject's home, near their belongings, etc.
Reactions of the heroes. The people whose story is at the center of the challenge react: they confirm or deny what's been said, express surprise at precise details, or challenge interpretations. The format requires strong emotions. Discussion with experts and the host. Marat Basharov, skeptics (such as Ilya Larionov), and invited experts analyze the versions: they check the facts, look for inconsistencies, and ask the participants clarifying questions.
Recording the results. The editors and show crew record which details matched reality and which did not. However, not everything is broadcast: editing emphasizes the most dramatic and striking moments. Elimination decision. At the end of the episode, the host and experts decide who performed the worst. This participant is placed in a "black envelope"—that is, nominated for elimination.
Duel (if necessary). If there's more than one person in the black envelope, an additional mini-challenge is held: a duel, where participants compete to prove their worthiness to stay. Sometimes the duel saves no one, sometimes both are retained (including by audience vote). Participant's departure or continuation of the competition. Based on the results of the discussion and/or audience vote, someone leaves the project, and the rest move on.

"The Battle of Psychics" (since the 23rd season, "The New Battle of Psychics") is a Russian reality television show on TNT. It has been running since 2007. The show's premise
Participants (people who claim to have psychic abilities) undergo tests to prove their "gift." Each episode features several tasks, and at the end, a decision is made on who is eliminated. How are the participants selected and evaluated?
Selection tests. Classic tasks: "Screen" (tell what's hidden behind it), "Trunk" (find a person in one of the cars), "Mr. X" (describe an invisible guest). Based on the results, 8-13 participants are selected.
Seasonal challenges. Most often, these are stories of real people: psychics must tell stories of tragedies, disappearances, strange happenings in the house, etc. Evaluation and elimination. The host and skeptical experts discuss the participants' performance. The worst performer at the end of the week is usually eliminated; sometimes, audience voting is used.
Prize. The winner receives a Blue Hand statuette. Format details
Participants use various "methods": Tarot cards, rituals, "reading" objects, working with photographs, etc.
There are spin-offs like "Psychics. Battle of the Strongest" and "Psychics. Revenge," featuring winners, finalists, and those looking for revenge.
The gist of the show
Participants (people who claim to have psychic abilities) undergo tests to prove their "gift." Each episode features several tasks, and at the end, a decision is made on who is eliminated. How are the participants selected and evaluated?
Selection tests. Classic tasks: "Screen" (tell what's hidden behind it), "Trunk" (find a person in one of the cars), "Mr. X" (describe an invisible guest). Based on the results, 8-13 participants are selected.
Seasonal challenges. Most often, these are stories of real people: psychics must tell stories of tragedies, disappearances, strange happenings in the house, etc. Evaluation and elimination. The host and skeptical experts discuss the participants' performance. The worst performer at the end of the week is usually eliminated; sometimes, audience voting is used.
Prize: The winner receives a Blue Hand statuette.

Host of "The Battle of Psychics." He has hosted the show on TNT since 2009 (season 8), replacing Mikhail Porechenkov. On the show, he comments on the challenges, interacts with the psychics, and announces the jury's decisions.

She was born on October 3, 1990, in Ferrara, Italy. She has Russian roots: her mother is Russian, her father is Italian. She has a twin sister, Anastasia.
She spent her childhood in two countries: six months in Italy with her father and grandfather, and six months in Russia with her mother.
Before turning to esotericism, she built a career in modeling, appearing in Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Elle, and working with Maybelline, MAC, and other brands. She also dabbled in film (in Italian projects) and even launched her own startup, as well as working at a crypto fund. A turning point came after a personal tragedy at age 27: after a difficult breakup, she says she discovered a gift—she began seeing signs and turned to tarot. She later developed her own deck, Amor Fati.
She positions herself as an expert on love and finance: she conducts training sessions (including with a partner), teaches how to monetize talents and build relationships. How she worked during the "Battle of Psychics" trials
The main tool is the Tarot, plus personal rituals; as an unusual attribute, she brought, for example, a bottle of olive oil.
She performed brilliantly at the qualifying trials (screen, trunk, and "Mr. X") and made it to the main cast. During the trial with "Mr. X" (Polina Aksenova), she accurately sensed that he had worked hard on his appearance, but was off on the details. She maintained a confident performance throughout the season, but faced harsh criticism—for example, Artyom Besov publicly made harsh accusations against her, to which she reacted emotionally.

Born on July 7, 1993.
At the age of 3, she lost her father and, according to her, it was then that she first felt a connection with the other world – it seemed to her that her father was supporting her.
The gift, as she said, manifested itself at the age of 8: she began to hear voices and was afraid of this for a long time.
She positions herself as a "Russian folk witch," practices black magic, and makes no secret of the fact that she works with "dark energies" and performs love spells, cleansings, etc.
Previously known by the pseudonym Anna Smelaya, she later returned to her real name. How she worked during trials
I relied on an emotional delivery and strong wording: I wanted to appear as straightforward and “unadorned” as possible.
She failed the qualifying tests (person behind the screen, search in the trunk), but still made it into the main team of 12 participants.
She brought unusual props to the set, for example, a horn, which she joked about in a conversation with Ilya Larionov.

Born on December 2, 1998 in the village of Chistoozerny (Novosibirsk region).
He did his compulsory military service.
Before the "Battle of Psychics," he blogged on social media under the handles Dogimans and Vzapadlo—at first, without esoteric content, but then he began positioning himself as a "Siberian witcher." He maintained the image of an enigmatic practitioner: he kept the details of his rituals secret and tried not to explain the mechanics of his "visions."
He focused on atmosphere and delivery: he worked a lot with intonation and pauses, creating the feeling that he was “reading” the heavy energy of a place or a person.
His performance with the missions was inconsistent: there were moments when he hit the mark, but overall he didn't stand out with his strong hit statistics.

Born on August 19, 1986.
Has higher medical and psychological education.
In 2016, she was in a serious motorcycle accident, experienced clinical death, and spent several months in a coma. Afterward, she says, she began having visions—thus began her journey into esotericism.
She underwent initiation rites in Nigeria, Benin, and Cuba (including extreme ones—for example, being buried up to her neck in the ground for three nights). Known by the pseudonym Santera, she developed her own system, the "Pyramid of Reality," which blends psychoanalysis and magical practices.
She was married to Sergei Rufljadko, but they divorced in 2024; their conflict was later actively played out on the show.
She auditioned for the 19th season of "Battle of Psychics," but failed the "Screen" test. She ultimately made it to the 25th season (2026). She focused on combining psychology and magic: she tried to first "scan" a person's emotional state and then offer interpretations of events.
She often spoke about birth and psychological trauma, presenting this as the key to solving the situation.
She used African and syncretic practices, drawing on her personal experience of initiations and "contact with spirits." She was known for her sharp reactions to injustice and openly stated that much on air was "decided by editing": in her opinion, powerful moments featuring her were cut out, while other participants were given more airtime.

Born on August 3, 1980.
At first he was involved in entrepreneurship – producing and distributing clothing and accessories, then he went into esotericism.
He studied African and Caribbean traditions, underwent initiation rites in Nigeria, and received the title of voodoo priest.
He developed his own concept, calling it protopsychology: according to him, it helps to influence the root of a person's problems. How it worked during trials
He focused on working with energy and “reading” situations through the prism of voodoo practices and his own protopsychology.
During the tests, he tried to give vivid, emotional interpretations, often emphasizing taboo topics and saying that anxiety is a “gift from the gods.”
In one episode, he had to identify a magical African mask with his eyes closed—a task he failed. He was known for his highly emotional delivery, often clashing with other contestants and making harsh remarks in the Gothic Room.

Date and place of birth: November 6, 1991, Zlatoust (Chelyabinsk region).
Education: He enrolled at Bauman Moscow State Technical University in the "Management of Mechanical Engineering Technology" program, but dropped out, opting for esotericism.
Heredity: Claims to have inherited his abilities from his great-grandmother, who was considered a powerful sorceress. Relationship with Ilona Novoselova: He was her lover and assistant, organizing receptions and trips. Ilona's tragic death in 2017 had a profound impact on Besov: afterward, he retreated from the public eye for several years. In 2026, he claimed to have come to "The Battle" to prove his own strength and "outgrow" that stage. After Ilona Novoselova's tragic death in 2017 (she fell out of a window), Besov retreated from public life for several years. He later took a lie detector test on the show "Actually"—his involvement in the tragedy was not confirmed. However, he continued to use some of Ilona's personal items in his rituals.
In 2026, he took part in the 25th season of "Battle of Psychics" and won, receiving the "Blue Hand." How does he work and what is his image?
"Dark" style and rituals. On set, he often used fire, sharp objects, and ritualistic paraphernalia; he appeared in black, holding himself with a tough, confident demeanor.
Tarot and energy reading. Works with cards as a tuning tool, and then relies on sensations and imagery.

Larisa Sheina was born on January 26, 1974, in Ivanovo. Before joining the show, she worked in various fields, including public and business positions. She became known in esoteric circles as the mentor (she called herself the "spiritual mother") of Alexander Sakov, a finalist in the 24th season. A public conflict later erupted between them: Sakov claimed that Larisa was not his mentor, but his secretary, taking notes at his appointments, and then began giving her own advice to clients. Larisa relied on "harsh" rituals and bold statements:

A scandalous attribute. During one of the tests, she brought a jar of biomaterial, claiming it was Vlad Cherevatyi's sperm—supposedly she was using his energy for her work. This scene shocked the hosts and Cherevatyi himself.
Searching for people. In the preliminary rounds and the first episodes, she demonstrated strong performance in the search tasks: she confidently pointed out the cars where people were hidden, and surprised everyone with her accuracy. Her delivery style is extremely straightforward, sometimes provocative: she didn't try to mince words and openly stated what exactly she "sees" and how she plans to use it.

Her real name is Angela Seyranovna Gomktsyan, born January 1, 1972. Before turning to esotericism, she tried her hand at various fields:

was engaged in business (outerwear production);
received her acting training at the Herman Sidakov Drama School;
In 2021, she starred in the 9th season of the TV series "Sklifosovsky" (the role of Kamilla Sadovskaya).
Married to Oleg Firstov, the couple has a son, Makar. Angela calls herself a medium, channeler, and healer. Her practice combines several disciplines:

existential psychology – helps people deal with crises by working with deep meanings;
body therapy and sound practices - uses vibrations, voice, and body work;
Essential oils and energy settings - selects aromas and "states" according to your request;
Tarot cards - as a tool for clarifying situations.

Mohanad Dlikan, known as Mikha, was born on March 22, 1992, in Damascus, Syria. He later moved to Russia and studied for a master's degree in management at the Moscow State University of Civil Engineering. Before turning to esotericism, he worked as a photographer. Around 2024, he began actively engaging in spiritual and esoteric practices, blogging, and discussing energy cleansing, rituals, ancestral work, and the Merkabah practice. In "The Battle," Mikha positioned himself as a practitioner who works with energies and ancestral connections. His methods included:

working with Tarot cards;
energy cleansing and protective rituals;
practices for “opening roads” and strengthening relationships;
reliance on astrological and family calculations - he often spoke about the influence of the family and "blocked" energy flows.

Vitaly Mikhailovich Terletsky (born January 3, 1989, in Leningrad) is a comic book author, screenwriter, artist, publisher, and game designer. He is known for his satirical style, deliberately caricatured drawings, and his blending of the absurd with poignant social themes.
What image did he choose?
Terletsky came to the project as a "shaman" who communicates with yokai spirits. According to legend, he got lost in a Japanese forest, encountered five spirits, and "brought" them back with him in a cardboard cookie box. He allegedly converses with these spirits in Japanese. He used gaming and pop culture attributes. His rituals, for example, included cards from a Japanese collectible game and an igloo—it seemed like a mix of mysticism and comic book aesthetics.
He emphasized "spiritual assistance." For example, during the challenge of finding a person in a trunk, he blindfolded himself and called upon a spirit named Tenome.
He combined seriousness and self-irony. His delivery was deliberately grotesque, playing on the very conventions of the genre and television format. He was emotional. In the fifth episode, he had a sudden breakdown during a test; he later publicly apologized, blaming it on extreme fatigue and stress.

Anzor Odisharia: Biography and Participation in the "Battle of Psychics"
Anzor Odisharia is a psychic, astrologer, and psychologist, and a participant in the 25th season of the show "New Battle of Psychics" (premiered in February 2026). He had previously achieved recognition in the esoteric community: in 2019, he won the Estonian version of "Battle of Psychics."

Biography
Date and place of birth: March 29, 1996, Tbilisi (Georgia).
Education: graduated from medical university in 2018.
Origin of abilities: Anzor calls his gift a family legacy. His grandmother had a great influence on him—she possessed esoteric powers and healed people with prayers. Anzor observed her work from childhood.
Experience in esotericism: Anzor's interest in mysticism began at the age of 7, and by the age of 12 he was already practicing—helping loved ones cope with stress, resolving financial issues, and predicting the future.
An unusual experience: Anzor spent a year of his childhood in a monastery. It was there, he says, that he first became acutely aware that the world was wider than what the eye could see, and learned to "read" other people's emotions and recognize when someone is lying or hiding pain. He blends astrology, psychology, and intuition—he relies on horoscopes, but reinforces them with human observation.
Uses family experience - considers abilities to be hereditary (inspired by his grandmother's practice).
Reads non-verbal signals - medical education helps: notices tension, pauses, reactions.
Works with objects and facts - takes personal items, photos, dates to "tune in" and check guesses.
Acts without unnecessary drama - formulates versions calmly, monitors the interlocutor's reaction.
At the same time, he himself says that this is not magic, but the ability to connect intuitive sensations with real details. He speaks Russian poorly and confuses words.

Biography
Varvara was born on April 14, 2006, in Segezha (Republic of Karelia). She was raised by her mother, Olga Sergeevna Petrovich. Despite being drawn to mysticism from an early age, Varvara chose a practical profession: she graduated from the Petrozavodsk Basic Medical College and now works as a nurse in a Petrozavodsk hospital. She explains this: understanding biological life helps her better sense the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead.

On the Internet, Varvara is known under the pseudonym Scream.

Mystical practices
Varvara describes herself as a graveyard practitioner and Karelian shaman. She attributes her abilities to her ancestral roots and connection to the northern land. Her practice includes:

working with the energy of ancestors;
rituals of purification and protection;
"possession" of spirits - she goes into a trance, and an "assistant" enters into her, who changes her voice and behavior (while she keeps the name of the guide a secret).
Her arsenal also includes the “whisper of the Karelian forests” and reliance on the support of her family, which she considers to be a person’s main defense.

Besides esotericism, Varvara practices tattooing and piercing. She views body modifications as a kind of ritual marking. Another detail: she always carries a handful of her native Karelian soil with her—she believes it helps her draw strength.

Participation in the "Battle of Psychics"
In the 25th season (starting in February 2026), Varvara joined the main cast of over ten thousand contestants. From the very first episodes, she was remembered by viewers for her unusual rituals. For example, in one challenge, she used soil from Karelia and raw liver—she ate a piece right on camera.

Throughout the project, she demonstrated "northern composure" and confidently worked with her spirit assistant. Viewers noted how her voice changed during sessions with the other world.