Banned Kick streamer and YouTuber Vitaly Zdorovetskiy is set to be deported to Russia after spending months behind bars in the Philippines following a string of controversial livestreams.
Zdorovetskiy was arrested in 2025 after broadcasts that showed him harassing locals, stealing, attempting to kiss a security guard, and even trying to seize a firearm. Philippine authorities quickly made an example of the influencer, parading him in front of TV cameras as a warning that nuisance streaming would not be tolerated.
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The Philippines’ president, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr, even called out Vitaly directly, saying the content creator’s antics made his “blood boil.”
Following his arrest, Vitaly was expected to wait up to two or three years for trial. Instead, he spent months detained in what YouTube lawyer Legal Mindset described as “jail hell.”
Conditions reportedly included a shared cell with multiple inmates, no air conditioning despite temperatures averaging around 97°F, and the same low-cost meals every day, with food costing roughly $1.20 for three meals.
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The Philippines is sending a ‘remorseful’ Vitaly back to Russia
On January 15, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration confirmed that the Taguig City Regional Trial Court has resolved the criminal cases against the Russian vlogger. Having already served his penalty, Zdorovetskiy is now cleared for deportation in the coming weeks.
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Immigration Legal Division Chief Arvin Cesar Santos said the agency is coordinating directly with Russian authorities to facilitate the deportation. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla added that while Vitaly resides in the United States as a green card holder, deportation will be processed using his country of passport origin rather than his country of residence.
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“Let this be a reminder to all our visitors here in the Philippines that we always welcome tourists and visitors,” Remulla said. “We treat them with respect and we expect them to follow the same rules as we do when we travel.”
He added that the government holds no lingering resentment toward the streamer. “We have no ill feelings against Vitaly. He has served his time, shown remorse, and he will be a free man when he returns to Russia.”
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The Russian government, however, denounced the streamer after he was thrown in jail. Russian Ambassador Marat Pavlov urged Russian nationals to follow the ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’ adage.
While Vitaly is preparing to leave, other creators are still facing serious consequences abroad. Notably, Johnny Somali remains on trial in South Korea following a series of controversial broadcasts involving business disruptions, offensive stunts, and deepfake-related allegations.
