Krasnodar city officials are reviewing karaoke venues after a song by Verka Serduchka sparked controversy by containing lines from the Ukrainian national anthem. The announcement came from the city government press office.
The review followed an incident at the karaoke club La Major in Krasnodar where the track was played with lines akin to Ukraine’s anthem. Video footage surfaced on social networks showing some guests singing along while others recorded, which prompted an official response.
Authorities explained that law enforcement agencies are conducting checks. At the club, staff cited a mix up by the sound engineer who allegedly misread the material and did not adjust the setup quickly enough. The club stated that Ukrainian lyrics were not intended to be sung by patrons and that the sound operator, who has decades of experience with the song at various events, switched off the track as soon as it appeared that Ukrainian lines carried a strong political message. The venue reported that additional training and guidance were provided to staff to prevent a repetition in the future.
Video circulating online shows three individuals in the club performing the song and repeatedly integrating lines from the Ukrainian anthem, while another person in the back records the moment with a monitor in view, producing what viewers described as an incorrect display of the lyrics.
Verka Serduchka, whose real name is Andriy Danilko, has been barred from entering Russia since April of last year along with numerous Ukrainian artists who supported Kyiv during the military operation. The song Hülyanka has not been restricted and does not appear on any banned lists.
The Krasnodar incident is part of a broader pattern where Ukrainian music has faced scrutiny or penalties in Russia.
Earlier, in September of last year, the Arpat restaurant in Bakhchisaray, Crimea, was shut down following a wedding where guests danced to the Ukrainian folk tune Chervona Kalyna. After the start of the special operation, the track was labeled by some as an informal anthem for the Azov Battalion, which is banned in Russia. The event was filmed and circulated on social networks, drawing the attention of local authorities. Bahcesaray’s mayor spoke about the inappropriateness of such celebrations and announced suspensions pending final actions.
Official results outlined penalties not just for the venue but for attendees as well. The restaurant owner faced administrative arrest for 15 days, the DJ and a dancer received 10 days each, the groom’s mother 5 days, and the bride’s mother was fined 40,000 rubles. The DJ explained he was unaware of the song’s nature and advised colleagues to verify the content before playing music in public venues to avoid similar issues.
In October 2022, a court in Moscow ordered a local resident to be arrested for 15 days and fined 50,000 rubles for listening to Ukrainian music in his car, accused of discrediting the army and disobeying police orders. President Vladimir Putin publicly commented on arrests tied to playing Ukrainian songs, describing them as illegal and urging restraint in cultural matters. He noted that such actions reflect heightened emotions and urged respect for Russian culture while addressing dismay at attempts to suppress it, signaling a political nuance behind enforcement actions.