NEW DELHI: The founder of a Russian pop group who criticised President Vladimir Putin in his songs has died by drowning, according to a report in News Week.
Dima Nova, whose original name was Dmitry Sivrgunov, was the founder of a popular electronic group 'Cream Soda'.
Local media reported that Nova fell through ice while crossing Russia's Volga river in Yaroslavl, north east of Moscow.
He was with his brother Roma and two other friends.
The 34-year-old artist had often criticised Putin in his songs, which became popular during a wave of anti-war protests in Russia.
In his song 'Aqua Disco', Nova had criticised Putin's alleged $1.3 billion mansion,
According to the report, the song was often sung at protests in the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The protests eventually became known as "Aqua Disco Parties".
Putin has been accused by criticsed of building a sprawling $1.3 billion mansion near Gelendzhik on Russia's southern Black Sea coast, allegedly using the proceeds of corruption.
The mansion is dubbed by his detractors as "Putin's palace".
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