Russia fines pensioner for liking YouTube videos in precedent case

For the first time in Russia, a court has levied a fine against a citizen for liking videos on the YouTube platform, marking a notable expansion of administrative enforcement in the digital space.

The Telegram channel Baza, citing court documents, noted that the pensioner Vasily Yovdiy, a Ukrainian national residing in Kovdor, Murmansk region, was ordered to pay a fine of 30,000 rubles ($390). The court found him guilty of publicly discrediting the Russian Armed Forces, citing as evidence his approving reactions—likes—on YouTube videos hosted on channels designated as foreign agents.

The specific instance cited involved Yovdiy liking a video related to the December 17, 2024, terrorist attack in Moscow, which fatally injured Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s radiological, biological and chemical protection forces, and his aide Ilya Polikarpov.

Yovdiy admitted his guilt, expressed remorse, and stated that he does not support the current government in Ukraine. The judge took these mitigating factors into account, along with his status as a pensioner, and imposed the minimum penalty under Article 20.3.3 of the Russian Administrative Code.

The case highlights ongoing debates in Russia over the limits of online expression. In 2024, Vladislav Davankov, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma and presidential candidate from the New People faction, introduced legislation to prevent citizens from being held administratively liable for likes or reactions on social media. His proposed amendments to the articles on incitement of hatred and discrediting the Russian Armed Forces aimed to clarify that expressions of emotion through social media reactions would not constitute a punishable offense.

By Vafa Guliyeva