In an unusual display of public defiance, hundreds of Russians took to the streets of St. Petersburg to openly criticize President Vladimir Putin.
On October 13, citizens gathered at the historic Kazanskaya Square, joining street musicians to perform banned anti-war songs, highlighting growing frustration over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The crowd jumped, sang, and chanted lyrics from Co-operative Swan Lake by pro-Ukrainian rapper Noize MC, whose real name is Ivan Alekseev.
The song has become a symbolic anthem among Russia’s youth, condemning Putin’s policies and the war in Ukraine.
Music as a Form of Protest
As the band played, participants chanted lines like, “Where have you been for eight years, you f**ing monsters? I want to watch ballet, let the swans dance. Let your grandpa tremble with excitement for Swan Lake.”*
Other lyrics included sharp critiques of the president: “When the czar dies, we’ll dance again.
The old man still clings to his throne, afraid to let go. Old man in the bunker, still thinks it’s nineteen eighty-five.”
The performance was more than music; it was a form of rebellion.
Noize MC fled to Lithuania after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and the song itself was banned by a St. Petersburg court earlier this year.
Arrest of Young Performer Sparks Controversy
Authorities arrested 18-year-old Diana Loginova, the singer who led the chants, citing an administrative offense for organizing a large public gathering.
Her mother, Irina, insisted that Diana is apolitical and merely performed popular songs for her audience.
“She loves Russia very much and has no plans to leave,” Irina told local media, emphasizing that her daughter’s performances carried no political agenda.
Despite her mother’s assurances, the arrest has drawn attention to the risks faced by young Russians expressing dissent, particularly in the form of art or music.
Ukraine Strikes Heighten Pressure on Russia
The protest comes as Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian infrastructure, targeting key facilities with drones.
Recently, Ukrainian forces set fire to an oil terminal in Feodosia, Crimea’s largest oil storage hub, holding up to 250,000 tons of fuel.
Such strikes have driven gasoline prices to record highs and contributed to widespread shortages across Russia.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, reported that Russian oil-processing capacity has been reduced by 21% in recent operations.
These actions are part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to weaken the financial resources that fund Putin’s war efforts.
Kyiv Seeks Advanced Weaponry
Ukraine is now lobbying for long-range missiles, air defense systems, and joint drone production agreements from the United States.
Officials are particularly interested in Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot air defense systems, which could enable strikes deep inside Russia, including near Moscow.
U.S. hesitation remains, as officials fear such support could escalate the conflict and worsen U.S.-Russia relations.
However, former President Donald Trump has suggested that supplying Tomahawks to Ukraine could pressure Moscow into seeking peace.
International Tensions and Russian Response
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Washington and its allies are prepared to impose costs on Russia if hostilities continue.
Meanwhile, Putin downplayed the potential impact of Tomahawk missiles, and Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed that the issue is of “extreme concern” to Moscow.
As protests in St. Petersburg illustrate domestic discontent, and Ukraine ramps up its military operations, the war’s impact is increasingly felt within Russia itself, creating mounting pressure on Putin both at home and abroad.