In Crimea, two women were convicted of singing the song of “Ukrainian nationalists” / art

One of the inmates is Olga Valeyeva, who this year won the “Mrs. Crimea” beauty contest, and the other is her friend Victoria Amargalivya.

The women had posted a video on the social network “Instagram” in which they performed the Ukrainian song “Chervona kalina” (“Red Partridge”) on the balcony of the apartment.

It is an old Ukrainian song that was once sung by Ukrainian independence fighters, but was banned during the Soviet era.

Since February, when Russian troops invaded Ukraine, this song has become one of the symbols of the Ukrainian resistance.

The Crimean court sentenced Amargaliv to ten days of arrest, while Valeyeva received a lighter sentence, a fine of 40,000 rubles (about 680 euros), because she has minor children.

The Crimean authorities also forced the two women to record an apology video in which they apologize for their actions because they did not know the meaning of this song.

Valeyeva shared a similar message on the “Instagram” network, stating that she and her friend simply sang a Ukrainian song, not knowing it was banned.

“I am Ukrainian, I was born in Crimea. I live peacefully in Simferopol, raising two children by myself. Do you really think I risk knowing what this song means?” Valeyeva writes.

Sergei Aksyonov, Russia’s nominated leader of the Crimean occupation regime, warned in September that singing Ukrainian nationalist songs is considered treason and should be held accountable.