An American rock group have been banned from playing at a music festival in Russia after a band member put the Russian flag inside his pants. Bass player Jared Hasselhoff put the flag into the front of his pants and pulled it out the back a concert in the Ukraine. He told the crowd, "Don't tell Putin". Russia's Culture Minister called the band "idiots" and banned them from playing at a Russian music festival. Hasselhoff later apologised for his actions.

The band may face criminal charges. A Russian official tweeted: "For such pranks they should be behind bars." A Russian lawmaker said that abusing the Russian flag is a crime. He said: "We will do our best to identify and bring to court every person involved." A comment on the Voice of Russia website called Hasselhoff's actions an "unpardonable and inexcusable criminal act" that broke Russian laws and insulted Russians worldwide.