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

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

The women had published a video on the social network “Instagram” in which they perform 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 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 have 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 that it was forbidden.

“I’m Ukrainian, born in Crimea. I live peacefully in Simferopol, raising two children by myself. Do you really think that I would take a risk knowing what this song turns out to mean?” writes Valeyeva.

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed leader of the Crimean occupation regime, warned in September that singing Ukrainian nationalist songs is considered treason and should be held accountable.

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