Veronika Dolina.Photo: Wikipedia.
Poet and songwriter Veronika Dolina was detained after returning from Israel and is currently under investigation in a case that could lead to serious criminal consequences, TimeUkraineIsrael reports citing Israelinfo.
Detention at Zhukovsky airport
On 12 November 2024, Veronika Dolina, a well-known poet and singer-songwriter, arrived in Moscow from Tel Aviv. However, her trip turned out to have unpleasant consequences: during the customs inspection at Zhukovsky Airport, several drugs were found that the poet had not declared when leaving Israel. These were medicines, including Ivalgin, Tramadol, Sumatriptan, as well as medicines containing codeine and brotizolam.
Dolyna explained that these drugs were ordinary painkillers for personal use, and she had been carrying them with her for many years, with the appropriate prescriptions. However, this was not enough for customs officials.
Legal situation and the threat of long-term imprisonment
According to reports from the scene, Dolyna was detained and brought in for questioning, after which she was released on her own recognizance. However, the question of possible criminal charges remains open. In particular, the possibility of initiating criminal proceedings under articles of the Russian Criminal Code that provide for liability for smuggling of potent substances and drugs is being considered. If the charges are confirmed, the poet could face up to 20 years in prison.
Political context of the arrest
Veronika Dolina has long been known for her openly pro-Ukrainian stance. Back in February 2022, she publicly opposed the war in Ukraine by signing an open letter to the “Warmongers”, which was published on the Echo of Moscow website. This step gained her new supporters among the country’s intellectual elite, but failed to protect her from reprisals by the Russian authorities. Dolina’s position, along with that of her son, film critic Anton Dolin, who also left Russia after the outbreak of the war, became a pretext for additional pressure from the Kremlin.
Response and next steps
Dolyna is currently at home, where she and her lawyer are actively working to resolve the situation. Her defenders and relatives assure her that all the medicines were for medical purposes only, and they are ready to prove it in court.
This incident once again highlights the growing pressure on cultural figures who oppose Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. The situation with Veronika Dolina is part of a broader picture of repression sweeping the country, where even the slightest expression of opposition can lead to serious consequences.
