æz ɹᵻpˈoːɹɾᵻd baɪ kəmpˈoʊzɚz fˈæn sˈaɪt, mˈɛmbɚz ʌv sˈoʊviət ɹˈuːlɪŋ bjʊɹɹˈɑːkɹəsi ˈɔːɹkᵻstɹˌeɪɾᵻd ɐ kæmpˈeɪn ɐɡˈɛnst ðə kɹˈeɪnz, sˈaɪɾɪŋ ðə sˈɔŋz ɹᵻlˈɪdʒəs ˌʌndɚtˈoʊnz.
As reported by composer's fan site, members of Soviet ruling bureaucracy orchestrated a campaign against 'The Cranes', citing the song's religious undertones.