For three decades, Последние танки в Париже (Poslednie Tanki v Parizhe or Last Tanks in Paris, often abbreviated П.Т.В.П. or PTVP) has occupied a singular space in Russian rock – too political for the apolitical, too literary for the punks, too raw and honest for the mainstream. Their story is marked by suicide and addiction, but more importantly by resilience and perseverance.
The Origin Story
The band was founded in 1996 in Vyborg (near the Finnish border) by drummer Eduard Starkov (Эдуард Старков) and vocalist Alexei Nikonov (Алексей Никонов), but forged in the dark energy of the St. Petersburg underground. Initially, they were called Последнее танго в Париже (Last Tango in Paris, after Bertolucci’s film), but Starkov suggested changing танго to танки while performing at the legendary TaMtAm club, a suggestion Nikonov agreed to. For them, танки referred to tanka (31-syllable Japanese poems), not military vehicles. They were well aware that this poetic reference would be opaque to most listeners, and the resulting ambiguity between poetry and violence became the band’s signature.
Tragedy and Perseverance
The band faced tragedy early on when Eduard “Redt” Starkov (also founder of Chimera or Химера) died by suicide in 1997. Meanwhile, guitarist Nikolai Benihaev (Николай Бенихаев) struggled with severe drug addiction – a struggle he would not survive. Despite these devastating losses, PTVP released their first full album Девственность (Virginity) in 1998, with Nikonov playing the guitar.
PTVP’s Musical Evolution
As evidenced by their debut album, Порномания (Porn Mania, 1999) and Hexagen (2001), П.Т.В.П. began as a punk-rock act. They became known for antisocial, drug-related lyrics before gradually moving toward a new wave/post-punk sound and identity. Their music is heavily influenced by bands like Joy Division, whose song Transmission they covered as Радио.
Explosive Politics
Последние танки в Париже is noted for their strong anti-authoritarian views and have repeatedly denounced Vladimir Putin in their lyrics. Their willingness to court controversy and confront those in power was evident in the title of their 2001 album Гексаген (Hexagen). Named after the explosive (also known as RDX or Cyclonite) linked to the controversial 1999 Russian apartment bombings, the album was a Molotov cocktail thrown at the feet of a tightening political regime.
The Poet with a Megaphone
What truly sets PTVP apart is Alexei “Lyokha” Nikonov himself. The punk-rock singer from the nineties who was once forced to take up the guitar is now also a published, award-winning poet who performs with the intensity of a man on the edge of a nervous breakdown, and with a depth that goes well beyond the familiar figure of the punk poet. It is as if Nikonov has taken on the roles – and lived the lives – of three, both as a tribute to, and a reproach of, the fallen.
Best of PTVP
Глаза ментов (Cop’s Eyes, 2001)
From Гексаген (2021), alongside В нирване, Может быть хуже, Я тебя люблю and Арест. Find song lyrics Глаза ментов here.
Нет (No, 2010)
From Порядок вещей (The order of things), alongside Хэппи энд (Happy end), Новый Интернационал, and the sad but recommended Разбитая любовь. Find song lyrics Нет here.
Новые времена (New Times, 2016)
From Реакция (2016), alongside Время говорить, Не смотри, Да или нет and the title track. Find song lyrics Новые времена here.
Не оставляя следов (Leaving no traces, 2024)
And the last dance, this 2024 single, affirming the band’s vitality after nearly thirty years. Video directed by Артём Андреев. Find song lyrics Не оставляя следов here.
Playlist: Best of Последние танки в Париже
For readers who want to spend more time with the band – and there are plenty of good reasons to – we’ve put together a “Best of” playlist, a focused selection of tracks that reflects the scope and tensions discussed above. Including the latest single, Я ничего не хочу (I don’t want anything, 2025). Discover more playlists here.
Coda: Alexei Nikonov
Лёха Никонов читает свои стихи: Lyokha Nikonov reads his poems. Old (from 2015) but gold, in two parts. Poetry readings by Nikonov on stage here, here, here and here. Portrait in Поэт или маргинал – Лёха Никонов (Lyokha Nikonov: Poet or marginal, 2025, 24 min).
More Poslednie Tanki v Parizhe
Read more about Последние танки в Париже at
Follow/connect on Instagram, Telegram, VK.
More alternative in the playlist Russian Alternative on YouTube (new), and in Russian Alternative / Русская Альтернатива on Spotify. Songs covered here can also be found in this YouTube playlist, and in Music in Russian songs on Spotify.
Follow Music in Russian on Telegram, Facebook, X, YouTube.
© Music in Russian, 2026
