Moscow Court Fines Rapper Despite His Support for Soldiers in Ukraine

Fine for Drug Propaganda

The Nikulinsky District Court in Moscow has fined rapper David Nuriyev, better known as Ptakha, 80,000 rubles (approximately $1,000) on administrative charges of drug propaganda, according to independent Russian outlet Mediazona. The case, as reported by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, stems from three tracks: "Ne pozdno" ("Not Too Late"), "Ne mogu" ("I Can't"), and "Monolog" ("Monologue"). The last was recorded by the group Centr, of which Ptakha was a former member.

Defense and Denial

The songs were posted in the "Ptakha aka Zanuda" group on VK. During the hearing, Ptakha insisted he had not made the posts himself, reminding the court that he "helps children and soldiers in the zone of Russia's 'special military operation' in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic." He did not admit guilt.

Background

Since March 2026, Russian law has required a special label on any book, film, or piece of music that references drugs. The label is required for all works released in the country after August 1, 1990. Ptakha is a former member of Centr, which also included Guf and Slim. In February 2016, he traveled to eastern Ukraine, where he gave several concerts and received citizenship in the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic.