Russian dance troupe under investigation after twerking performance goes viral

ORENBURG, Russia, April 16 (UPI) -- A teenage dance group in Russia is under investigation by officials after a twerking performance video went viral this week. The group's dance studio will be closed until the investigation concludes.

Russian children's rights ombudsman, Pavel Astakhov, called the YouTube video "vulgar" and "offensive," Buzzfeed News reports.

The video begins by portraying a lone Vinni-Pukh character (the Soviet equal to Winnie-the-Pooh) looking for honey. When the music changes, the girls join the bear on stage wearing striped, bee-like costumes -- and the twerking begins. It gained over 13 million views since April 12.

Although the twerking may be impressive to aficionados in America, Russian viewers responded with negative backlash. Over 22,000 people wrote angry comments under the video, some mentioning the fear that the West is perverting the country's youth.

"Our future depends on the morals and decency of our girls! I am in shock!" wrote user Irina Kupiyanova.

Russia's Investigative Committee is reportedly considering negligence and "perverted deeds" charges against the studio and others involved-- charges usually placed against people suspected of pedophilia.

The age of the girls in the troupe has not been confirmed. The age of sexual consent in Russia is 16.

The dance studio's owner told a Russian tabloid, "You'll find much more explicit dances [online], believe me."

Was she referring to Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda?"