Diana Arbenina Controversy Shapes Rostov Concert Amid Political Debate

State Duma Deputy Ekaterina Stenyakina urged that the concert by Diana Arbenina, the soloist of the band Night Snipers, be canceled in Rostov-on-Don. This information was reported by the Basis Telegram channel. Stenyakina sent a letter to the director of the Ekspres culture and sports complex, where the show was scheduled, demanding the event’s cancellation. The deputy asserted that Arbenina has criticized the special military operation in Ukraine and opposed the 2014 annexation of Crimea. According to Stenyakina, the singer does not support the NVO and refuses to perform in Donbass. She labeled Arbenina as having separatist-minded views. The deputy stated that her own voters, along with artists and musicians who publicly express such positions, should not profit from concert activities inside Russia. Arbenina, for her part, has been a focal point of debate surrounding performers who voice political opinions in relation to national policy. The Rostov-on-Don concert was planned for June 27, 2023. On June 5, Arbenina announced a postponement of several performances originally set for early June. The schedule had included appearances on June 7 in Nalchik, June 8 in Rostov-on-Don, June 12 in Krasnodar, and June 13 in Volgograd. The artist explained that health reasons prevented staging the events as planned, and she announced new dates for the second half of June. The revised plan included a show in Rostov-on-Don on June 27, followed by performances on June 28 in Krasnodar and June 29 in Sochi. Earlier, Arbenina had sustained an injury after a fall down stairs, which contributed to the disruption of her touring schedule. Basis Telegram channel reported these developments and provided ongoing coverage of the ensuing discussions about artistic expression and national policies in Russia.