Hundreds of young Russians gathered in a historic city square to sing a banned song calling for the overthrow of Vladimir Putin. The event took place in Kazanskaya Square, St Petersburg, where a large crowd joined street musicians in singing ‘Cooperative Swan Lake’, a song outlawed in May 2025 for being labeled “extremist” by a court. The song, by Ukrainian musician Ivan Alexeyev, known as rapper Noize MC, has emerged as an anti-war anthem for Russia’s youth protesting against Putin’s regime and the invasion of Ukraine.
The song references the tradition of broadcasting Swan Lake in response to political crises in Russia, symbolizing regime changes and political instability. The crowd was captured chanting lyrics criticizing the government and expressing discontent with the current leadership.
An 18-year-old girl named Diana Loginova led the chants and was subsequently arrested by the police. She is expected to face charges for organizing a large gathering in a public place. Diana’s mother, Irina, clarified that her daughter’s participation was not politically motivated but rather driven by the song’s popularity and her admiration for Noize MC as an artist. Irina emphasized that Diana is a patriot of Russia and has no intention of supporting Ukraine.
The gathering occurred amidst escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Ukrainian drones targeting key Russian infrastructure, resulting in significant disruptions, including fuel shortages and rising gasoline prices across Russia. The strikes have been part of Ukraine’s efforts to weaken Putin’s military capabilities.
Overall, the event underscores the growing dissent among Russia’s youth against the government and the deepening impact of the conflict with Ukraine on both countries.