Two young Russian influencers have been arrested after posting a now-viral TikTok video that captured them dancing and filming in front of a burning oil facility in Sochi, one of Russia’s most prominent tourist destinations. The fire was the result of a Ukrainian drone strike. The footage, which authorities claim glamorized Ukrainian military success, has ignited outrage across pro-Kremlin media circles and triggered an aggressive state response.
Viral TikTok Sparks National Backlash
The video in question features 21-year-old Dasha Vladimirova and 19-year-old Karina Evgenieva, along with an unidentified man, filming themselves near the flaming ruins of the Rosneft-Kubannefteprodukt oil depot, located in the Krasnodar region. The location is linked to Russia’s state-owned energy giant Rosneft, a company widely believed to be supplying fuel to the Russian military.
In the clip, the trio appears relaxed and playful, soundtracked by “Crimson Dawn,” a popular track by Russian rapper Endshpil, as towering plumes of black smoke fill the sky behind them. The song’s title and mood have only amplified what Russian officials claim is a deeply inappropriate moment of levity in the wake of a national security incident.
Once uploaded to TikTok, the footage rapidly gained traction, reportedly garnering hundreds of thousands of views before being taken down. But the damage was done.
Moscow’s Media and State Crackdown
Russian state media, particularly Kremlin-aligned outlets that support the ongoing war in Ukraine, were swift and severe in their condemnation. Analysts and talk show hosts labeled the video “an act of moral betrayal” and demanded not only arrests but also a public apology and repentance.
Shortly after the video surfaced, authorities launched a manhunt for the two women. Within days, both Vladimirova and Evgenieva were apprehended. Officials confirmed that the arrests took place in the Sochi area, not far from where the drone attack occurred.
Behind the scenes, the incident has reportedly enraged Moscow’s upper ranks, as it inadvertently spotlighted a successful Ukrainian strike, an image the Kremlin aggressively seeks to suppress on all social platforms.
Police Force Public Confession
Following their arrest, the young women were reportedly coerced into confessing on video, a tactic Russian authorities have increasingly employed against dissidents, influencers, and even foreign nationals. The state published footage shows the visibly shaken influencers sitting at a police station, apologizing on camera.
According to captions posted with the video, Vladimirova and Evgenieva are being charged under Russia’s ambiguous statute for “Failure to comply with rules of conduct in an emergency or the threat of its occurrence,” which can carry a fine of up to 30,000 rubles (approximately $330). It remains unclear whether additional charges may be added as the investigation continues.
