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Young Russian street singer charged for singing songs by prohibited musicians

October 22, 2025

Diana "Naoko" Loginova, an 18-year-old music student and vocalist for the St. Petersburg street band Stoptime, has been charged with "organizing an unauthorized rally that disrupted public order" after performing songs by artists labeled as "foreign agents" by the Russian government. She was detained overnight at a police station and brought to court in handcuffs following viral videos of her band's performances on Nevsky Prospect. Loginova's performances included songs with lyrics expressing sadness about leaving Russia and criticism of the current regime, such as Monetochka's "It was in Russia" and Noize MC's banned song "Cooperative Swan Lake.

Who is affected

  • Diana "Naoko" Loginova, an 18-year-old student at the Rimsky-Korsakov Music College and vocalist of Stoptime
  • Other members of Stoptime, specifically the guitarist and drummer who have come under investigation
  • Artists labeled as "foreign agents" whose music was performed (Monetochka, Noize MC, Zemfira, and Pornofilmy)
  • The public who witnessed or viewed videos of the street performances

What action is being taken

  • The Russian prosecution office has opened a case against Loginova for "organizing an unauthorized rally that disrupted public order"
  • Loginova is currently being detained for 13 days by order of the local municipal court
  • Authorities are investigating other band members, though they were not brought to court
  • A potential second criminal case is being developed against Loginova related to "discreditation of the Russian army"

Why it matters

  • This case highlights Russia's ongoing crackdown on artistic expression that criticizes the government or features artists deemed "foreign agents." The prosecution of a young music student for performing songs in public demonstrates the extent of censorship and the consequences for Russians who engage with banned content. The case shows how street performances can be reframed as "unauthorized rallies" under Russian law, creating serious legal consequences for musicians and artists. Loginova's detention also reveals the escalating severity of punishments, from administrative charges to potential criminal prosecution carrying lengthy prison sentences.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices