Support The Moscow Times!

Siberian Police Probe Young, Semi-Nude Snowboard Enthusiasts

The eternal flame is a deeply revered monument commemorating local fighters who perished during World War II.

After a photo surfaced of two young women posing half naked in front of an eternal flame in Siberia, a strategically positioned snowboard lending the image its only glimmer of modesty, police in Kemerovo region are on the prowl.

The eternal flame is a deeply revered monument commemorating local fighters who perished during World War II.

In a statement released Saturday, area police announced that they were currently working to establish the women's identities, as well as that of the photographer who took the shot. They asked witnesses or anyone else with knowledge of the incident to come forward.

Local news agency FlashSiberia reported that the picture first appeared on a local group's page on popular social network VKontakte as an illustration for a poll about a nearby ski resort.

In 2013, the State Duma mulled an initiative that would criminalize offending the memory of the war. The bill proposed that those found guilty should face up to seven years in prison. The law was not passed by the parliament.

Kemerovo police did not specify which law the culprits would be investigated under should the authorities move forward with opening a case.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more