Influencers arrested after posing in front of burning Russian plant

News.com.au

3 days ago

Two influencers have been arrested after posting a TikTok posing in front of a flaming Russian plant following a Ukrainian strike.
A drone dramatically exploded the military-linked Rosneft-Kubannefteprodukt oil depot in Sochi.
TikTokers Dasha Vladimirovna, 21, and Karina Evgenyevna, 19, were filmed rapping in front of the burning facility.
They are captured in footage glorying in the Ukrainian strike which Putin's air defences failed to prevent.
The video was posted to track Crimson Dawn by singer Endshpil, a Russian rapper.
Dasha and Karina were also with a man - but it was unclear if he had been hauled to the police as well.
A police-issued 'wanted' notice only specified the two women.
'During internet monitoring, a publication was found showing two girls filming a video against the backdrop of a fire in Sochi,' a police statement said before the influencers were identified.
'The police have initiated an investigation, measures are being taken to identify the girls, and their actions will be legally assessed.'
Later it was confirmed the duo had been detained, and there were calls from pro-war outlets for them to issue a public apology over the stunt close to Sochi airport.
Kremlin moral guardian Yekaterina Mizulina, 40, head of Russia's Safe internet League, said: 'Young people are filming content against the backdrop of drones flying into Sochi at night.
'I wonder what's wrong with the instinct for self-preservation?
'Don't they understand that this is simply dangerous?'
But the real reason for their arrest is the potential glamorising of a Ukrainian strike in Russia's largest resort.
Moscow takes an increasingly aggressive, extreme stance against social media stunts seen as highlighting Ukraine's successes in the war.
Ukrainian official adviser Pravda Gerashchenko mocked: 'Russian zoomers are happy about the burning oil depot in Sochi - a new location for selfies.
'Ukrainian defence forces will definitely try to create as many such locations as possible.'
The song 'conveys a search for direction, belonging and hope through music and the hip-hop community,' said one source.
'It reflects on life's struggles, yearning for freedom, and finding strength and identity through artistic expression.'
Russian forces last night bombed a key bridge used to transport military logistics in the Ukrainian frontline city of Kherson.
Footage shows a Russian air strike destroying the key road crossing on the Dnipro River after dropping two guided bombs.
The attack damaged a bridge connecting the city to the Korabel neighbourhood.
A few homes and a high-rise residential building were also damaged, officials said.
A defiant Vladimir Putin has snubbed peace and is instead steadily increasing his overnight bombing raids - which could soon hit 1,000 a day.
Governor Oleksandr Prokudin urged residents of the Korabel district to evacuate, citing complications with logistics and infrastructure.
He wrote on Telegram: 'As a result of the enemy air strike, logistics have been complicated.
'Because of this, it will be difficult to deliver food and other things for the time being.'
Kherson Oblast, which is just near the Russian-occupied Crimean region, is frequently targeted by the Russians.
Kyiv sought revenge by launching a massive drone attack targeting Russia's main resort city of Sochi, where Putin is said to be rebuilding one of his palaces.
More than 120 firefighters were trying to extinguish a blaze at an oil depot that was sparked by the drone attack, regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said.
A massive fuel tank with a capacity of 2,000 cubic metres was on fire, Russia's RIA news agency reported.
Some 30 huge explosions led to a massive inferno at the facility close to the main airport often used by the Russian dictator.