In a significant demonstration, a multitude of young Russians congregated in a historic city square, passionately singing a banned song that calls for the overthrow of Vladimir Putin. The scene, captured on video, showcased the energetic crowd joining street performers in Kazanskaya Square, St Petersburg, as they sang ‘Cooperative Swan Lake’. This song, deemed “extremist” by a court in May 2025, was composed by Ukrainian musician Ivan Alexeyev, professionally known as rapper Noize MC. It has evolved into an anti-war anthem for Russia’s youth, protesting against Putin’s regime and the Ukrainian invasion.
The lyrics of ‘Cooperative Swan Lake’ reference the Soviet custom of airing Swan Lake during political turmoil, symbolizing regime changes and political unrest. The crowd, caught on camera, chanted fervently, expressing their sentiments with phrases 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.”
The song also includes poignant lines such as, “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.” Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Noize MC sought refuge in Lithuania.
One notable participant in the gathering was 18-year-old Diana Loginova, who led the chants and subsequently got detained by law enforcement. Russian media reports suggest that she will face charges for organizing a large assembly in a public location. Diana’s mother, Irina, clarified to local media that her daughter’s involvement was solely due to the song’s popularity and her admiration for Noize MC as an artist, rather than any political motives.
Irina emphasized, “Diana is under my care and guidance. I often accompany her to performances and ensure her safe return home. We share a close bond, and I can affirm that she holds no political stance. She is a patriot who loves Russia dearly and has no intentions of supporting Ukraine. The songs Diana sings are chosen based on her favorite artists and audience preferences; there is no underlying agenda or ill intent. She merely responds to the audience’s requests.”
This incident occurred amidst a series of successful strikes on Russia, including Ukrainian drone attacks that caused a major oil storage and transshipment hub in Russian-occupied Crimea to ignite. Ukraine has escalated its drone operations against critical Russian targets, disrupting oil and gas infrastructure to undermine Putin’s military operations. The resulting fuel shortages and soaring gasoline prices have impacted Russia significantly.
