Russian musician who criticised Vladimir Putin found dead in the most bizarre circumstances

The founder of a Russian electronic/pop group which released a song criticising Russian President Vladimir Putin has been found dead.

Founder of Russian group Cream Soda

Dima Nova, whose real name was Dmitry Svirgunov, was the founder of the popular group Cream Soda. Their song 'Aqua Disco' criticised Putin's lavish mansion which is thought to be worth $1.3 billion and became an anthem sung at anti-war protests in Russia. The protests were soon called 'Aqua Disco Parties'.

An investigation by Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny early in 2021 uncovered details about 'Putin's palace', including what appears to be a hookah-lounge and a mysterious area simply labeled akvadiskoteka (aquatic disco). This inspired the lyrics of 'Acqua Disco':

You are inviting me to the movies and for a couple of glasses. Inviting me to breathe in the shisha smoke, to chill on the covers, to watch the sunset from your marble boudoir. You just don’t understand that is very old school.

In 2017, Cream Sodareleased a song called 'Volga' in which the lyrics described 'going down' into the river where 'I will drown'. It continues:

In captivity of spring lips I will drown/I'm going down with you.

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Died by drowning in Volga river

In a strange twist of events, Nova passed away by drowning in the Russia's Volga river. On Sunday evening 19 March, Nova was allegedly crossing theriver in the Yaroslavl region, north east of Moscow, when he fell through ice, as reported by Russian news website People Talk. He was with his brother Roma and some friends, one of which also passed away.

Cream Soda announced Nova's death on Instagram on Monday 19 March. They said:

We had a tragedy last night. Our Dima Nova, in the company of friends, was walking along the Volga and fell under the ice. The Ministry of Emergency Situations are still looking for his brother Roma and friend, Gosha Kiselev. Aristarchus, our friend who also fell under the ice, was caught, but could not be saved. As soon as we have information from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, we will inform you.

On Tuesday 21 March, the group shared photos of Nova and his friend Kiselev, writing 'an official identification took place today at 9:00. Dima and Goshi are no more'. It is unclear whether his brother, Roma, was found.

Nova's death is the latest in a string of Russians to pass away since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Putin is being accused of being responsible for most of them.

Sources used:

Newsweek: 'Russian Pop Star Who Criticized Putin Found Dead After Drowning'

The Moscow Times: 'Inside 'Akvadiskoteka,' the Viral Russian Protest Anthem Inspired By 'Putin’s Palace''