Despite controversy, Madonna's album is Russia's best-seller
Dec. 28, 2012, 5:12 PM EST
WENN
Madonna may have caused controversy during her trip to Russia this year, but her headline-grabbing antics helped her land the country's best-selling album of 2012.
The pop superstar's latest album, "MDNA," has been named No. 1 in the Russian end-of-year albums chart, ahead of singer Adele and her super-selling hit "21" and Lana Del Rey with "Born to Die," who landed at No. 4 and No. 5 on the countdown respectively, according to Lenta.ru.
Madonna took her MDNA tour to Russia in August and was subsequently hit with a $10.5 million lawsuit by activists who claimed she illegally promoted homosexuality at her show in St. Petersburg by handing out pink wristbands in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
The lawsuit was subsequently dismissed.
Madonna also hit headlines in Russia in 2012 by speaking out in support of members of the punk band ***** Riot, who were jailed for performing a song railing against President Vladimir Putin in February.
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It should also be pointed out that this is the first time EVER that a foreign/international album is the best selling of a year!
But yay Madonna! 
) and it's been ruined because it was actually given away.
) would have been one of the IT songs of 2012, and this is a country with a HUGE population, while it did nothing everywhere else.