
Russian authorities have fined the winner of this year’s Miss Crimea beauty pageant, Olga Valeeva, after a video surfaced of her and another girl singing “Chervon Kalina”, a song that has become the anthem of the Ukrainian resistance, writes The Moscow Times with reference to TASS.
In a video posted on Instagram, Valeeva appeared with a friend singing “Red Viburnum”, a song that has become a symbol of resistance in Ukraine, where Russia invaded on February 24.
Both women were accused of “discrediting” the armed forces of the Russian Federation and “promoting extremist symbols.”
Valeeva, who has small children, was fined 40,000 rubles ($677), and her friend was sentenced to 10 days in prison.
In addition, the Russian authorities forced the two young women to apologize.
In a video published on the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Crimea on Monday, two women can be seen apologizing for singing the song.
IN #Crimeatwo young women were forced to apologize for singing #Ukrainian the song “Oh, there’s a red viburnum in the meadow.”
“Miss Crimea” Olga Valeeva was fined 40 thousand rubles. Her friend was arrested for 10 days. pic.twitter.com/Syj4zDOlEF
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 4, 2022
This is not the first such incident in Russian-controlled Crimea, where Kremlin-appointed regional head Serhii Aksyonov warned people not to “chant pro-Ukrainian slogans” and “sing nationalist songs.”
Last month, six people were arrested or fined for playing Red Viburnum at a wedding on the peninsula.
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 without international recognition.
about-#Russian channels are trying to pursue Ms #Crimea and call her to come back #Ukraine – just for singing a #Ukrainian song. pic.twitter.com/k3aBRKaZ87
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 2, 2022
Source: Hot News RU

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