St. Petersburg street musicians arrested for singing anti-war songs flee Russia after release from jail

Diana Loginova, the lead singer of the band Stoptime, has left Russia after being freed overnight on Nov. 23, a source told The Insider. Stoptime guitarist Alexander Orlov is also safe, his attorney, Sergei Loktev, told the outlet Bumaga. The independent outlet Meduza later reported that Orlov had also left the country.

Loginova, also known by her stage name Naoko, and Orlov were released after their third consecutive administrative detention. On the morning of their release, the vocalist’s attorney, Maria Zyryanova, confirmed the information to the outlet Fontanka, saying “they’re safe” and asking for “a bit of quiet.”

According to these reports, police transported the musicians from the detention center to another district so that they would not be seen by journalists waiting for their release.

Stoptime was formed in St. Petersburg in the spring and summer of 2025. The members are vocalist Naoko (Diana Loginova), guitarist Alexander Orlov, and drummer Vladislav Leontyev. They performed on city streets, playing songs by artists the Russian authorities have labeled “foreign agents.”

The detentions began in October 2025. On Oct. 11, after a street performance at Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro station, Naoko and her bandmates were taken into custody. They were prosecuted on charges of violating public order and received 12- to 13-day jail terms. They were also issued citations for “discrediting the army.” On Oct. 29, the Smolninsky District Court in St. Petersburg handed Loginova yet another 13-day sentence on a misdemeanor hooliganism charge — allegedly for performing songs containing profanity on Nevsky Prospekt, the city’s main avenue.