Russian music star Dima Nova has been found dead after apparently “drowning” on Sunday, according to reports.
34-year-old Nova, real name Dmitry Svirgunov, was a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Nova’s popular electronic group Cream Soda released an anti-war song that called out Putin and became an anthem among those opposed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In the song, the pop group calls out Putin for owning a mansion allegedly worth $1.3 billion while much of Russia lives in poverty, according to Newsweek.
The song was commonly heard at protests against the country both before and after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
These protests became known as “Aqua Disco Parties.”
According to the song’s lyrics, “[Aqua disco]” is a wild hedonistic pool party for one,” Calvertjournal.com reported.
One of the lyrics reads: “The king of leisure,/ I will feel super here.”
Another reads: “Aqua Disco,/ Here I am by the word super,/ Add duper.”
The report cited an article in a Russian news website People Talk that said Nova fell through the ice while crossing the Volga river in the Yaroslavl region, northeast of Moscow.
Nova was not alone, however, and was reportedly with his brother Roma and a couple of friends, who all died.
Cream Soda posted on Instagram about the death of Nova and one of the other people who died in the incident.
The translated caption states: “An official introduction took place today at 9:00.
“Dima and Goshi are no more.”
“We had a tragedy last night,” the pop group’s post explained.
“Our Dima Nova, in the company of friends, was walking along the Volga and fell under the ice.”
“The Ministry of Emergency Situations is still looking for his brother Roma and friend, Gosha Kiselev,” it added.
“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.”
“Aqua Disco” was not only heard at protests against Russia in the early days of the war but also at demonstrations against the jailing of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2021, the outlet noted.
At the time, thousands of protestors were arrested by police during the protests, which were not sanctioned by Russian officials, the report noted.
