A Russian court has again sentenced 18-year-old street musician Diana Loginova to 13 days in jail over her viral anti-Kremlin performances in St. Petersburg — marking her second arrest this month.
Loginova, the vocalist of the street band Stoptime, was detained Tuesday after performing songs critical of President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine. The court accused her of organizing an unsanctioned gathering and engaging in “petty hooliganism.” According to RusNews, she received two 13-day sentences to be served concurrently.
The young artist, known by her stage name Naoko, had just completed her previous 13-day detention last week following similar charges. Her bandmates, guitarist Alexander Orlov and drummer Vladislav Leontyev, were also arrested repeatedly, with Orlov receiving 13 days and Leontyev 15 days on separate administrative counts.
Earlier Tuesday, the Leninsky District Court fined Loginova 30,000 rubles ($375) for allegedly “discrediting” the Russian military after performing “Ty Soldat” (“You’re a Soldier”), a song written by exiled musician Monetochka — whom the Kremlin has labeled a “foreign agent.”
Loginova defended herself in court, saying her music was not political but emotional, meant to share art she loved. “My activity as a street musician is aimed at sharing music I love,” she said. “I don’t pursue political goals.”
Her lawyer argued that prosecutors never specified which lyrics were deemed offensive and that the case lacked evidence of intent. The courtroom was filled with supporters and journalists who applauded as the visibly tired singer smiled after nearly two weeks in detention.
Shortly after the hearing, Loginova was taken in an unmarked vehicle to a police station, where she reportedly began feeling unwell from stress. Paramedics were called to treat her but decided she did not require hospitalization, her mother Irina Loginova told local media.
Despite her repeated arrests, Loginova’s mother said her daughter would continue performing. “It’s her life,” she said.
The musician faces an additional charge of discrediting the army for another anti-war song, which could escalate to criminal prosecution carrying a potential prison sentence of several years.
Her defiance has gained wide attention on Russian social media, with many viewing her as a symbol of artistic resistance against the Kremlin’s crackdown on dissent.
During her latest detention, Orlov proposed to Loginova inside a police van — a gesture that has since gone viral, underscoring both the repression and resilience of Russia’s new generation of anti-war artists.
themoscowtimes report
