3 women in Russian-occupied Crimea forced to sing songs about Putin after being caught dancing to Ukrainian song

Three women who were caught dancing to a Ukrainian song in Russian-occupied Crimea. Photo: screenshot from Krymsky Smersh Telegram

A Russian-controlled court in occupied Crimea has fined three young women 15,000 roubles (approximately US$150) after they were caught dancing to a song by Verka Serdiuchka, a Ukrainian artist, in an Alushta water park.

Source: Russian-controlled Ministry of Internal Affairs in Crimea; Krymsky Smersh Telegram channel

Details: The women, aged 19, 20 and 26, were caught dancing to a Verka Serdiuchka song at their workplace in the Alushta water park in Crimea. The song contains lyrics that roughly translate as "Ukraine has not died if we get to have fun like this".

The video of the three women was posted on the Krymsky Smersh Telegram channel; Krymsky Smersh is a Crimean social movement whose participants persecute those who oppose Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Another video of the women was posted on Krymsky Smersh’s Telegram later. In the video, they apologise for their "rash actions", say they support the so-called "special military operation" [the euphemism Russia uses for its war against Ukraine] and its participants, and sing a song which contains the lyrics "Vladimir Putin is a good guy".

On 10 August, the Russian-controlled Ministry of Internal Affairs in Crimea said that the women were suspected of undermining and discrediting the Russian army, and called the song at the centre of the incident a "hot-topic song with an unacceptable message, by a Ukrainian artist".

Quote from the Russian-controlled Ministry of Internal Affairs in Crimea: "The court has found these citizens guilty of administrative offences. The offenders were sentenced to an administrative fine of 15,000 roubles [approximately US$150 – ed.]."

Background:

• In August 2022, a DJ was arrested in Crimea for playing the song Dyke Pole (Wild Field) by YARMAK, a Ukrainian rapper.
• In September 2022, Sergey Aksyonov, head of the Russian occupation government in Crimea, said that criminal liability for members of the pro-Ukrainian movement in Crimea would be increased.
• On 27 April 2023, Antytila (Antibodies), a Ukrainian band, announced a concert in Yalta, Crimea, on 23 August 2024; they have stated that they expect Crimea will be liberated by then.

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