Street Performers in Russia Face Jail Time for Anti-War Songs

A group of young street musicians from St. Petersburg spent almost two weeks in jail after performing songs by exiled anti-war artists in their city.

Vocalist Diana Loginova (known as Naoko), drummer Alexander Orlov, and guitarist Vladislav Leontyev—who perform as Stoptime—gained viral popularity this fall with their renditions of well-known anti-Putin and anti-war anthems, which are de facto prohibited due to wartime censorship laws.

The trio was detained for 12 to 13 days each for allegedly organizing an unauthorized public assembly, while Loginova also faces two extra charges for “discrediting” the Russian military, which could result in criminal prosecution.

Below is an overview of some songs covered by Stoptime that may have played a role in their arrest:

Loginova is accused of “discrediting” the Russian army through Stoptime’s rendition of Noize MC’s “Svetlaya Polosa,” as reported by the press service of the St. Petersburg courts.

Local police cited a social media post by Noize MC, where he mentioned a Ukrainian listener who recalled hearing the song during a drone strike on Kyiv.

«Therefore, through both the song’s content and the commentary surrounding its release, [Noize MC] is generating a negative public perception of Russia’s special military operation,” the police claimed.

Loginova contested the police’s assertions in a statement to the court, according to the exiled news outlet Mediazona.

Observers quickly pointed out that the song’s lyrics do not explicitly reference the war in Ukraine, the Russian military, or Russia itself; instead, they rely on metaphors and abstractions to convey their message.

«But I believe that there will be a stripe of light / In this darkness, akin to snow at the poles. / New sprouts will rise from the ashes toward the heavens. / Dew will sparkle on the leaves in the rays of dawn.”

Monetochka’s song—a poignant ballad lamenting her life before the Ukrainian invasion and Russia’s cultural crackdown, which drove her into exile—gained traction among anti-war emigrants in 2024.

It has been featured in numerous Instagram and TikTok videos showcasing Russians’ pre-war memories, including personal clips and footage of celebrations in Moscow during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as well as images of late opposition leaders Alexei Navalny and Boris Nemtsov.

“It happened in Russia, which means it was a long time ago. / It happened in Russia, which means it was just a dream. / A dream can’t be taken away, it will remain with me.”

The title and lyrics of the song allude to the ballet «Swan Lake,» symbolizing the fall of the Soviet Union, as well as the infamous Ozero (meaning «Lake») dacha cooperative established in the mid-1990s by President Vladimir Putin’s close associates.

In May, a Russian court deemed the song «extremist,» claiming it served as “propaganda for violent government overthrow” and posed a threat to the “moral and ethical development” of Russian youth.

“Where have you been for eight years, you f***ing monsters? / I want to enjoy the ballet, let the swans dance. / Let the old man tremble in fear of his ‘Lake.’ / Get Solovyov off the screen — let the swans dance.”

Loginova also faces an administrative charge of “discrediting” the army for her performance of “Ty Soldat,” an unreleased track that Monetochka has only sung live once.

“It turns out authorities already conducted a linguistic analysis of my unreleased song,” Monetochka stated on her Instagram, urging her supporters in Russia to prioritize their safety.

“You’re a soldier; I can see the experience in your eyes. / You carry the scent of blood, a massive scar. / You whistle like the wind across the steppes. / And perhaps there is no one colder than you. / You’re a soldier, and I wanted to heal your wounds. / To mend your broken heart and stitch it back together. / But the metal is firmly lodged. / You’ve likely witnessed too much.”