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Monetochka Song Removed From Russian Screenings of New ‘Spider-Man’ Film

The removal of the exiled singer’s song comes after distributors in Ukraine also cut the track from the film’s Ukrainian release following complaints...

Rapper Ye Set to Perform in St. Petersburg in October

The performances will take place on Oct. 10 and 11 at the Gazprom Arena, a venue capable of hosting around 80,000 spectators.

'My Entire Career Is an Anti-War Project': Exiled Punk Rocker Dmitry Spirin

The former Tarakany! frontman talks the Hard Times Cafe, life in emigration and building bridges between Russia and his new home of Argentina.

‘Queer Quark’: Evgeniya Rudyuk Interweaves Life in Exile with Late Anti-War Pianist’s Diaries

The theatre and filmmaker's latest project will be shown in part at Artists Against the Kremlin III: Memory Remains.

opinion Andrey Sapozhnikov

Spider-Man Shows the Folly of Ukraine’s Cultural Boycott

Art is supposed to unite people. But even three seconds of music from a famously anti-war Russian singer was too much for Ukraine.

opinion Andrey Sapozhnikov

How Viktor Tsoi’s Songs Became Anthems of Protest and Propaganda in Putin’s Russia

Supporters and opponents of the Kremlin only agree on a few things — and the iconic status and emotional resonance of Kino’s music is one of them.

After Arrests for Anti-War Songs, a Young Street Band Is Rebuilding Its Life in Exile

Stoptime members Diana Loginova and Alexander Orlov spoke to MT about emigration, anti-war sentiment in Russia and their plans for the future.

Z-Pop Star Shaman Just Dropped His Latest Music Video – and It’s Something Else

The new video uses AI-generated deepfakes to draft exiled “foreign agents” into Shaman’s personal backing choir.

Sorry, Europe, Russia Isn’t Satanic Enough for Eurovision

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that “the criteria that now define Eurovision contestants... are honestly nothing short of outright Satanism...

Ultraconservative Vitaly Milonov Wants Your Kids to Jam Out to Whitney Houston

Milonov, a lawmaker in Russia’s State Duma, is notorious for his anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-Western views.

St. Petersburg Judge Sentences Oxxxymiron to Community Service in Absentia for ‘Foreign Agent’ Violations

Russia previously issued an arrest warrant for the exiled rapper after he was accused of repeatedly failing to include a prominent “foreign agent”...

opinion Andrey Sapozhnikov

Russia's Censorship Laws Are Killing Its Pop Culture

Sweeping bans on discussing drugs, politics and “non-traditional values” are forcing artists and labels to censor themselves.

Despite Sanctions and Boycotts, Some Western Musicians Return to the Stage in Russia

While these acts are hardly major names, their return signals that some Western artists are willing to risk backlash by entertaining Russian fans.

Russian Security Forces Raid Moscow Punk Concert – Reports

Police reportedly ordered concertgoers to lie face down on the floor as they searched phones for subscriptions to anti-war and opposition channels.

‘Dogs of War Go to Heaven’: The Russian Rappers Celebrating the Military

Rap Platoon is one of a handful of musical acts that have been producing patriotic, pro-war music. Experts say they're unlikely to make it big.

‘Carousel Arrests’: Inside Russia’s Tactic for Keeping Detainees Locked Up

The St. Petersburg street band Stoptime's members are the latest people to face repeated administrative arrests in Russia.

St. Petersburg Street Musician Jailed Again Over Viral Anti-Putin Performance

Members of the group Stoptime were arrested shortly after being released from their first sentences.

Moscow Court Jails Singer Monetochka in Absentia for Breaking ‘Foreign Agents’ Law

Monetochka left Russia shortly after the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and continues to perform in exile.

Sensing War Fatigue, Kremlin Exploits Music Festivals to Subtly Cultivate Patriotism

Nearly four years into the war, officials are using cultural roots and entertainment to foster patriotism instead of overtly militaristic propaganda.

Singing These Songs in Russia Could Land You in Jail

Stoptime rose to viral fame this fall with its performances of popular anti-Putin and anti-war anthems in St. Petersburg. Its members are now in jail.

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