FEATURE: Russia is rapidly constructing a new censorship machine that reaches into every field of art. Renowned filmmakers like Alexander Sokurov are rebuked in front of Putin, publishers face extremism charges over LGBT‑themed books, theatre directors are jailed for “justifying terrorism,” and musicians, museums and street artists navigate raids, blacklists and vigilante denunciations. Together, these cases reveal a deliberate strategy to turn artistic life into a zone of permanent legal risk.
Russian street musician Diana Loginova, 18, and her band Stoptime, were arrested in St. Petersburg in October 2025 after performing anti-Kremlin songs by banned artists. Their public protest sparked viral online support and waves of solidarity, highlighting the risks artists face for dissent under Russia’s expanding censorship laws. The case underscores the importance of artistic freedom and youth resistance to governmental repression.
