Archive · 11 Nov 2025
Russian Teen Jailed for Anti-Kremlin Street Songs Amidst Wartime Censorship
Imagine a teenager who loves to sing and plays music on the street.
In Russia, she sang songs that were critical of the government.
Because of this, the police arrested her.
First, they put her in jail for a short time.
Then, they also made her pay money because they said her singing wasn't allowed.
She was arrested again for singing another song, and the court decided to put her in jail for another short period.
Her boyfriend, who played music with her, also got sent to jail for a few days.
People who believe in freedom say this shows it's becoming very hard to speak out against the government in Russia, especially during wartime.
The government, however, says people need to be united and follow rules about public order.
An 18-year-old Russian street musician, Diana Loginova, received additional jail time for singing anti-Kremlin songs.
Her boyfriend and bandmate, Alexander Orlov, was also given a 13-day jail sentence.
Loginova was previously jailed for performing songs critical of the government and was also fined for discrediting the army.
Rights activists view her case as an example of growing wartime censorship in Russia.
The authorities maintain that actions are based on public order offenses and the need for societal unity.
- Who
- Diana Loginova, an 18-year-old music student and street musician (stage name Naoko), and her boyfriend Alexander Orlov.
- What
- Loginova was jailed multiple times for singing anti-Kremlin songs in public. Her guitarist boyfriend also received jail time.
- When
- Tuesday (ruling), arrests made last month, context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine since February 2022.
- Where
- St. Petersburg, Russia.
- Why
- Authorities cited public order offenses and discrediting the army, while activists point to increased wartime censorship and crackdown on dissent.
Activists' View
Authorities' Stance
Freedom of Expression vs. Public Order
Activists' View
Activists argue the teenager's jailing highlights stifling wartime censorship and repression of critical voices.
Authorities' Stance
Authorities focus on public order offenses and the need for societal unity during what they deem a proxy war with the West, leading to charges like petty hooliganism and discrediting the army.
Interpretation of 'Swan Lake'
Activists' View
The song 'Swan Lake Cooperative' was a performance of a track by an exiled rapper.
Authorities' Stance
The same song is problematic because Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' is seen as a symbol of political change, having been broadcast during significant historical political moments in Russia.
- Name
- Diana Loginova (stage name: Naoko)
- Age
- 18
- Location
- St. Petersburg, Russia
- Offenses
- Public order offense, petty hooliganism, discrediting the army
- Songs Performed
- 'Swan Lake Cooperative' (Noize MC), 'You Are a Soldier' (Monetochka)
- Sentence Details
- Initially jailed for 13 days, then fined 30,000 roubles, then handed another 13-day jail sentence.