On 14 November 2026, the Russian pop-rap performer Instasamka, whose real name is Daria Zotieva, is scheduled to perform at the Emerald Theatre in London. As citizens of the free world, we must stand firm against any artist who financially supports oppressive regimes, especially those contributing to ongoing conflicts that claim innocent lives. Instasamka is not merely an artist — in February 2023, she publicly confirmed donating 900,000 rubles to Russia's "special military operation" fund, directly supporting the war Russia launched against Ukraine.

Instasamka has also campaigned to get fellow Russian artists cancelled over their perceived lack of loyalty to the state. In July 2025, she publicly accused singers Dora and Maybe Baby of "destroying Russia," citing their past ties to a musician officially designated a "foreign agent" and to a Ukrainian band, and pushed for their shows to be pulled — independent Russian outlets called it a "donos" (denunciation). By hosting her, venues inadvertently lend legitimacy to that record. In good conscience, we cannot allow her concerts to become platforms that indirectly fuel warfare or reward the silencing of other artists.

Here's what makes this hard to ignore: while she does this, other people are paying the actual price. Inside Russia, the human rights group OVD-Info currently counts just over a thousand political prisoners jailed, detained, or forcibly hospitalised for opposing the war — a number that keeps climbing. In Ukraine, tens of thousands of civilians and soldiers have been killed in the war she helped fund. She faces none of those consequences. Instead, she gets to travel to London, perform, and profit — while rebranding herself, as of this month, as an apolitical international pop star now that she's found the Russian market "too small."

We don't think a UK stage should be part of that rebrand. We're calling on Emerald Theatre to cancel this booking, and on venues and promoters across the UK and Europe to think twice before hosting her. Standing with the people who've actually paid a price for opposing this war — political prisoners, refugees, the families of the dead — means not rolling out a stage for someone who supported it for money.

Our call to action is straightforward:

Emerald Theatre and Etazh Events cancel the 14 November booking.
UK and European venues and promoters currently in talks with her team decline to book her until she is held accountable for the record above.
Let's collectively show that our stages and our cities will not serve as tools of propaganda or revenue-generating opportunities for those who contribute to conflict and oppression. The impact of standing against Instasamka's performances in the UK will resonate far beyond our borders.

What you can do right now:

Sign this petition.
- Share it — with anyone who cares about Ukraine, free expression, or basic accountability.
- Tag Emerald Theatre London and Etazh Events on social media and ask them directly whether they're aware of this record.
- Email the venue and ask them to confirm whether the show is still going ahead.

By signing this petition, you contribute to a cause that upholds peace, justice, and the sanctity of human life over war-mongering and suppression of free speech. Please join us in this crucial stand against aggression and in support of global harmony by lending your signature today.

Sources
- OSN Media — Zotieva's own public statement on her 900,000-ruble donation to Russia's war fund (Feb 2023): https://www.osnmedia.ru/shou-biznes/instasamka-soobshhila-chto-pozhertvovala-na-svo-900-tysyach-rublej/
- Meduza — on her public accusations against Dora and Maybe Baby (Jul 2025): https://meduza.io/feature/2025/07/03/instasamka-ispolnitelnitsa-pesni-za-dengi-da-obvinila-pevits-doru-i-meybi-beybi-v-nedostatke-patriotizma-i-durnom-vliyanii-na-molodezh
- Lenta.ru — coverage of the same, framed as a "denunciation": https://lenta.ru/news/2025/07/02/instasamka-stuchit/
- RFE/RL Current Time — investigation into the Safe Internet League's pressure campaigns on Russian musicians, featuring her case: https://www.currenttime.tv/a/kak-liga-bezopasnogo-interneta-mizulinoy-mladshey-zachischaet-muzykalnuyu-stsenu/32471242.html
- Lenta.ru — on her July 2025 appearance at Russia's Public Chamber: https://lenta.ru/news/2025/07/08/mizulina-vozmutilas-uchastiem-instasamki-v-zasedanii-obschestvennoy-palaty/
- Meduza — on her promotion of the state messenger app MAX: https://meduza.io/feature/2025/07/09/instasamka-i-valya-karnaval-proreklamirovali-prilozhenie-max-ot-vk-ih-vpechatlilo-chto-ono-rabotaet
- OVD-Info — data on Russia's political prisoners since the invasion: https://data.ovd.info/
- Lenta.ru / Vedomosti — on her 11 August 2026 announcement that she's leaving Russia for an international career: https://lenta.ru/news/2026/08/11/instasamka-ob-yavila-ob-ot-ezde-iz-rossii-i-nezhelanii-vozvraschatsya/ · https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/news/2026/08/11/1220380-instasamka-pokidaet-rossiyu
- Eventbrite — event listing confirming the 14 November London show at Emerald Theatre London: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/instasamka-club-show-london-14-november-tickets-1997151588162