In an unusual display of opposition, hundreds of Russian citizens gathered in St. Petersburg to voice dissent against President Vladimir Putin’s leadership, an event that underscores growing frustration as Ukraine’s expanded military campaign affects life inside Russia.
The October 13 demonstration centered around Kazanskaya Square, where a large crowd assembled to sing along with street performers playing “Co-operative Swan Lake” by Noize MC—a Ukrainian-supporting rapper whose work has resonated with Russia’s disaffected youth. The song, which authorities banned in May, has emerged as an unofficial protest anthem among those opposed to the war.
The crowd enthusiastically sang provocative lyrics criticizing the Russian leadership, including verses that reference Putin metaphorically: “When the czar dies, we’ll dance again. The old man still clings to his throne, afraid to let go.”
Crackdown and Consequences
Police arrested 18-year-old Diana Loginova, who led the singing, on charges of organizing an unauthorized public gathering. Her mother, Irina, defended her daughter as apolitical, saying Diana selected the song purely for its popularity with audiences and maintains patriotic feelings toward Russia.
Noize MC, born Ivan Alekseev, relocated to Lithuania shortly after Russia’s 2022 invasion began. Russian courts subsequently banned distribution of his anti-war song following legal action earlier this year.
Ukraine’s Campaign Reaches Russian Territory
The protest occurred amid escalating Ukrainian drone operations targeting Russian infrastructure. Recent strikes destroyed an oil terminal in Feodosia, Crimea—the peninsula’s largest petroleum facility with 250,000-ton capacity—contributing to fuel shortages and record-high gasoline prices across Russia.
Ukrainian military leadership reports degrading Russia’s oil-refining capability by 21%, directly impacting the Russian economy and funding for military operations.
International Weapons Debate
Ukraine continues pursuing advanced Western weaponry, particularly long-range systems. Ukrainian officials have expressed interest in Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot air defense systems from American manufacturers Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated Washington’s willingness to increase support if diplomatic progress stalls, stating the United States would “impose costs on Russia for its continued aggression” if peace efforts fail.
Former President Trump reportedly suggested using the threat of Tomahawk transfers as leverage to pressure Putin toward negotiations, though concerns about escalation have made Western allies cautious about providing weapons capable of striking deep into Russian territory, including Moscow. Kremlin officials have called the possibility of Tomahawk deliveries a matter of “extreme concern,” while Putin dismissed their potential battlefield impact.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
