On the spur of the moment, I went to the Russian Winter Festival in Trafalgar Square after hearing it mentioned on the radio.

It was actually pretty good fun, with authentic Russian food, drink and dancing, but without a doubt the highlight was a performance by Sankt Peterburg, Russia's somewhat belated answer to big-haired, tight-trousered, 1980s stadium rock.

Most of the songs were pretty derivative but the delivery was nothing if not exuberant and I couldn't help but enjoy their unashamed tribute to Bon Jovi, given a distinctly Russian twist:

Livin' in Ukraine

Tommy used to work down the mines
Salt supplies running low
The mine closes down
It's tough, so tough

Gina works in the cement factory all day
Avoiding the advances of her Party-connected boss
She works long hours for little pay in potentially injurious conditions
For love, for love

She says: We gotta hold on to what we got
'Cause it doesn't make a difference if we endure our lot
Or perish under the might of an oppressive, all-powerful state
We've got each other, at least until one of us is taken in the middle of the night by the secret police
For love, we'll give it a shot!

We're halfway insane
Livin' in Ukraine
Take my hand, suppress the pain
Livin' in Ukraine