Streamer Vitaly is being deported to Russia after spending months in “jail hell”

Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, a streamer and YouTuber previously banned from Kick, will be sent back to Russia after being held in the Philippines for several months. This follows a series of livestreams that caused controversy.

In 2025, Zdorovetskiy was arrested in the Philippines for disruptive and illegal behavior, including harassing people, theft, and attempting to forcibly kiss a security guard. He even tried to take a firearm. Authorities publicly showcased his arrest on television to send a clear message that such behavior from online influencers wouldn’t be accepted.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. publicly criticized content creator Vitaly, stating that his actions angered him greatly.

After being arrested, Vitaly faced a potential wait of two to three years for his trial to begin. However, he ended up being held for months in conditions that YouTube legal expert Legal Mindset called “jail hell.”

Reports indicate the detainee was held in a cell with other inmates, without air conditioning even though temperatures often reached around 97°F. Meals were basic and inexpensive, costing about $1.20 for all three each day.

The Philippines is sending a ‘remorseful’ Vitaly back to Russia

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration announced on January 15th that the criminal cases against the Russian vlogger have been settled by a court in Taguig City. Because he’s already completed his sentence, he will be deported in the next few weeks.

According to Immigration Legal Division Chief Arvin Cesar Santos, the agency is working directly with Russian authorities to arrange the deportation. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla clarified that even though the individual, Vitaly, is a green card holder in the U.S., the deportation process will be handled through his Russian passport country, not his current place of residence.

Remulla stated that the Philippines continues to warmly welcome tourists and visitors. He emphasized that while Filipinos treat guests with respect, they also expect visitors to abide by the same laws and regulations as everyone else when traveling in the country.

The government isn’t holding any grudges against the streamer. They stated they don’t harbor any negative feelings towards Vitaly, noting that he’s completed his sentence, expressed regret for his actions, and will be able to return to Russia as a free man.

After the streamer was arrested, the Russian government strongly criticized him. Ambassador Marat Pavlov advised Russian citizens traveling abroad to respect local laws and customs, suggesting they follow the principle of adapting to the norms of the country they are visiting.

As Vitaly gets ready to depart, other content creators are still dealing with difficult situations in other countries. Most notably, Johnny Somali is currently on trial in South Korea because of broadcasts that included disrupting businesses, performing shocking acts, and accusations involving the use of deepfakes.

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2026-01-15 20:19