Ajit Karn
The death at age 35 of a Russian musician whose songs criticised Vladimir Putin
The New York Post reports that a Russian musician who criticised President Vladimir Putin in his songs perished after sliding through ice while crossing a river. Dima Nova, whose actual name was Dmitry Svirgunov and who was 35 years old, was the pioneer of the popular electronic band Cream Soda.
According to the report, Mr. Nova fell through the ice while traversing the frozen Volga River on March 19 with his brother and three companions. While two of his companions were rescued from beneath the ice, the third passed away in the ambulance.
Notably, the artist frequently criticised Mr. Putin in his lyrics, and his music was played at anti-war demonstrations in Russia. His most popular and controversial composition was “Aqua Disco,” which was frequently chanted at anti-Russian invasion protests in Ukraine. Mr. Nova criticised the Russian president’s $1.3 billion residence in his song. Eventually, the protests became known as “Aqua Disco Parties.”
Monday, Cream Soda verified his death in an Instagram post with the caption, ”We had a tragedy tonight. Dima Nova was walking along the Volga with companions when he collapsed through the ice. The search for the Ministry of Emergency Situations continues for Dima, his brother Roma, and their friend Gosha Kiselev. Our companion Aristarchus, who also plunged through the ice, was captured but could not be saved.
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In another post, the group shared photographs of Mr. Nova and his friend, Kiselev, along with the statement, “An official identification took place today at 9:00 a.m.” Dima and Goshi are no more.”
In 2021, the band’s popularity skyrocketed after comedian Alexander Gudkov used one of their compositions to mock the Russian president’s luxury mansion, labelled “Putin’s Palace.”
The song includes the lyrics, “You are inviting me to the cinema and for a few drinks. Inviting me to inhale the shisha smoke, lounge under the covers, and watch the sunset from your marble boudoir/You just don’t get that it’s very dated.
