A Russian court has imposed a fine of 30,000 rubles ($390) on 72-year-old Ukrainian pensioner Vasily Yovdy for allegedly “discrediting the army” through his activity on YouTube. According to the independent media outlet Verstka, the court in Kovdor, Murmansk Oblast, determined that Yovdy, a Ukrainian citizen residing permanently in Russia, had left approving reactions by liking videos on the platform while at home.
The specific videos linked to the case were not disclosed in the court ruling, but it was mentioned that two of them had been made by “foreign agents.” Among the videos was content discussing the assassination of general Igor Kirillov, who was reportedly killed in Moscow by a bomb concealed within an electric scooter in December 2024.
The court’s findings stemmed from an inspection of Yovdy’s phone by FSB (Federal Security Service) agents, who uncovered that he had liked 139 videos on his private YouTube account. Despite this private engagement, the court deemed the actions public and subsequently imposed a significant fine.
This case marks a notable precedent, as it appears to be the first instance of someone being fined for “discrediting” the Russian army due to reactions on social media platforms. Yevgeny Smirnov, a lawyer with the Russian human rights organization First Department, expressed skepticism about the court’s reasoning, stating that a “like” does not equate to a public action meant to discredit the armed forces, as it does not display a personal opinion or disseminate information.
The context of such rulings reflects a growing trend in Russia concerning the treatment of dissenting opinions, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Recently, similar cases have emerged, including a 22-year-old Russian man who faced fines for allegedly spreading “LGBT propaganda” and another individual fined for playing a Ukrainian song in his car.
As the situation continues to evolve, these actions underline a heightened scrutiny and stricter enforcement of laws regarding public opinion within the context of Russia’s military operations.