Russian Court Penalizes Pensioner for YouTube Video Likes

A 72-year-old Ukrainian pensioner faced legal action in Russia after liking videos on YouTube, marking a precedent in the country’s approach to social media interactions. The court in Kovdor, Murmansk Oblast, imposed a fine of 30,000 rubles (approximately $390) on Vasily Yovdy for supposedly “discrediting the army.”

Details of the Case

During the court proceedings, it was reported that Yovdy, who has permanent residency in Russia, had left approving reactions in the form of likes on various YouTube videos from his home. However, the specifics of the videos in question were not detailed in the ruling.

Videos and Reactions

• Two of the videos liked by Yovdy were produced by individuals classified as “foreign agents.”
• One video discussed the assassination of General Igor Kirillov, a notable figure connected to chemical weapons, killed in December 2024.

The investigation into Yovdy’s online activities revealed a total of 139 videos liked on his private YouTube account. These findings came to light during an inspection conducted by FSB agents.

Legal Implications and Reactions

This ruling is believed to be a first in Russia, where an individual has been penalized for “discrediting” the military through online interactions. Yevgeny Smirnov, a lawyer at the Russian human rights NGO First Department, critiqued the decision, arguing that a “like” does not equate to public discrediting of the armed forces. He emphasized that Yovdy’s actions did not express a personal opinion or disseminate any information.

Context of Military Discrediting in Russia

The legal landscape in Russia has tightened, with increasing penalties for various forms of dissent. Recent reports indicate an uptick in fines for individuals suspected of discrediting the military or promoting controversial views.

• A 22-year-old Russian man was fined for allegedly spreading “LGBT propaganda” through a social media post.
• Another individual received a 50,000 ruble ($650) fine for playing a Ukrainian song in his car.

As Russian authorities continue to clamp down on expressions perceived as dissent, cases like that of Vasily Yovdy underscore the rising scrutiny over social media activity in the nation.