Russia follows Belarusian steps! Right before Belarusian presidential elections in 2010, a song titled “Саня останется с нами” (“Sanya will remain with us”) became an overnight hit. While there wasn’t a direct reference to Alexander Lukashenko in the song, everyone understood that the song’s protagonist named Sanya was none other than the President of Belarus himself. Needless to say, government owned radio stations played the song until the presidential election day.

Roughly two months before presidential elections in Russia, Tolibjon Kurbanhanov, a native of Tajikistan, dedicates a song to Vladimir Putin. Is it a coincidence or a well-planned political move? Perhaps, Tolibjon Kurbanhanov sincerely praises Putin for all he has done for Mother Russia. Or maybe, this is Kurbanhanov’s conscious decision to support Vladimir Putin in light of recent events on Bolotnaya Square in Moscow. The song can also be interpreted as a mockery of Vladimir Putin’s regime in Russia. I invite you to judge what this song is about for yourself!