Social network VKontakte (VK) - dubbed the "Facebook of Russia" - is facing legal action from the recording industry.
Sony, Universal and Warner Music have each filed a case accusing the site of "large-scale" copyright infringement.
The action has been coordinated by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (Ifpi), which represents record labels worldwide.
VK has not responded to the BBC's request for comment.
The labels have accused VK, the second biggest social network in Europe, of creating a "huge library" of music it does not have the rights for and offering it as a service within its site.
The labels are seeking a court order in Russia to make VK to remove a number of files from its service.
In a statement announcing the action, Ifpi chief executive Frances Moore said:"We have repeatedly highlighted this problem over a long period of time.
"We have encouraged VK to cease its infringements and negotiate with record companies to become a licensed service.
"To date the company has taken no meaningful steps to tackle the problem, so today legal proceedings are being commenced.
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