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Spotify Removes Music by Russian Artists Supportive of Ukraine Invasion

Spotify has removed music by several pro-war Russian artists who have been sanctioned by the West for participating in pro-war propaganda.

Spotify has removed the music and profiles of several Russian artists who support the Ukraine invasion and have been sanctioned by the European Union and elsewhere in the West, Billboard has confirmed. According to the Telegram channel of Rodnoy Zvuk, the removals affected artists Polina Gagarina, Grigory Leps, Oleg Gazmanov, Shaman, Chicherina, Lyube and possibly others. The document claims both have participated in pro-war events sponsored by the Russian government, noting that Shaman (real name Yaroslav Yuryevich Dronov) has also “given concerts in the illegally occupied regions of Ukraine, including as part of troop entertainment events for the Russian Armed Forces.” The Moscow Times reports the other artists named in the Telegram post were sanctioned in 2022 following Russia’s initial invasion.

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