Influencer, 23, who filmed herself tickling the breasts of a famous Russian war statue, publicly apologizes as she faces five years in prison for Instagram video in Putin's hardline Russia

A Russian influencer who filmed herself tickling the chest of a famous Russian war statue has issued a groveling public apology.

Alena Agafonova, 23, posed under the 88-metre-high statue of a sword-wielding woman called The Motherland Calls in Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, scene of one of the most epic battles of World War II.

She now faces five years in prison for the Instagram video in Putin's hardline Russia.

In footage she posted to Instagram, she appears to 'tickle' the figure's right breast, officially banned in Russia.

Agafonova went into hiding in Sri Lanka after the film last year.

She was placed on Russia's wanted list and detained this week when she returned to her home country.

Agafonova was immediately transported from Moscow to Volgograd and has now been held for two months pending further investigation.

She humbly apologized for her action, but still faces criminal charges in Volgograd and a prison sentence of up to five years.

She is accused of 'desecration of a cemetery' and 'cynical actions that disregard the norms of morality', as well as the 'rehabilitation of Nazism'.

Her pursuit shows the new morality in Russia under Putin amid the war with Ukraine.

Authorities are cracking down on any behavior seen as antipatriotic or contrary to 'traditional values'.

Footage showed Agafonova handcuffed as a law enforcement officer told her: “I inform you that the Investigative Department of the Volgograd Central District has a criminal case pending against you for the desecration of a symbol of Russia's military glory, an insult of the memory of defenders of the homeland, committed with the help of the Internet…'

She appeared to have been ordered to issue a public apology, an increasing trend in Putin's repressive state towards those who flout increasingly strict laws.

“I address all the residents of Russia and Volgograd and ask everyone not to commit the acts I committed last year because of my stupidity,” she said.

'I didn't even think I could offend anyone's feelings.

“I ask all Russian citizens for forgiveness.”

The statue is one of the most famous in Russia and commemorates those who fought and died in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II, resulting in a decisive Soviet victory over Hitler.

The USSR suffered more than a million casualties during the Battle of Stalingrad, which lasted from August 1942 to February 1943.

In addition, social activist Rasul Akhiyaretdinov has called on Putin to cover up The Motherland Calls statue.

He was ashamed of her “openly protruding nipples,” which he said signified “homosexual moments and a decline in morality.”

The statue, which dates back to the Soviet era in 1967, could be disturbing to both Orthodox and Muslim Russians, he said.

“It would be better if the motherland had more coverage,” Akhiyaretdinov said.

He plans to appeal to Putin to call for a cover-up.

Earlier this week, two female influencers were forced to apologize for a lesbian kiss they posted on social media.

Vlada Alchaeva, 24, and her friend Vika, 19, were hunted by police and will also face heavy fines for flouting laws banning LGBT propaganda.

The pair were told by police that they could 'damage the psyche' of minors who viewed their video under draconian new laws.