Dozens of young Russians gather in a St Petersburg square and defy Vladimir Putin in full voice.

What they are doing is illegal and risks his wrath.

It is an unsanctioned musical performance of a banned anti-Kremlin song, written by an exiled musician.

"I want to watch the ballet, let the swans dance," they sing.

"Let the old man shake in fear for his lake."

Video footage of the performance posted online shows the loud and proud defiance, led by the underground rock band, Stoptime.

The song is called Co-operative Swan Lake, in reference to the famous ballet, which became a symbol of the Soviet Union's collapse in the early 1990s.

The lyrics also reference the Lake Cooperative, a notorious gated community and holiday spot for Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle in north-w

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