Madonna lands 2012's best-selling album in Russia

MADONNA may have caused controversy during her trip to Russia this year (12) but her headline-grabbing antics helped her land the country's best-selling album of 2012.

The pop superstar's latest record MDNA has been named number one in the Russian end-of-year album chart, ahead of British singer Adele and her super-selling hit 21 and Lana Del Rey with Born To Die, who landed at four and five on the countdown respectively, according to Lenta.ru.

Madonna took her MDNA tour to Russia in August (12) and she 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 punk band Pussy Riot who were jailed for performing a song railing against President Vladimir Putin in February (12).