Prank gone wrong: Russian YouTuber faces deportation after harassment case in the Philippines
A Russian vlogger whose prank videos sparked outrage in the Philippines is now facing deportation, marking the latest development in the viral case that authorities say crossed the line between online content and criminal harassment.
Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, known online as VitalyzdTv, was arrested in April 2025 after livestreaming himself harassing Filipinos in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, one of Manila’s busiest business districts and a magnet for tourists because of its posh shopping spots.
Vitaly’s video showed him grabbing a security guard’s cap, attempting to seize another guard’s firearm, and threatening to rob a woman — acts prosecutors said merited three counts of unjust vexation.
On Thursday, the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration (BI) said its Board of Commissioners has issued a deportation order against the 33-year-old Russian national, following the resolution of criminal cases filed against him.
He was charged with three counts of the offence before courts in Taguig, cases that have since been settled, thereby clearing the way for his removal from the country, according to immigration officials.
After 9 months in jail
Earlier, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla had insisted that Vitaly would serve his sentence locally, saying deportation was not immediately possible. Neither Russia nor the United States — where the vlogger holds a green card — had agreed to receive him.
At the time, Remulla said Vitaly had written to him seeking the dismissal of the charges, citing mental health concerns, but stressed that the law would take its course.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had also condemned the vlogger’s action, warning that abuse disguised as entertainment would not be tolerated in the Philippines.
Remulla later clarified that while Vitaly holds US residency, he remains a Russian citizen travelling on a Russian passport, underscoring where responsibility for his return ultimately lies.
Tourists welcome, but…
Vitaly’s case has drawn attention to the limits of prank culture in the age of viral content, particularly when performed in foreign countries.
“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 follow the same rules when we travel.”
Vitaly has more than 10 million subscribers on YouTube and is known for provocative stunts across the world. Because of his actions, he has been declared persona non grata, or an “unwelcome person,” in several countries, including the Philippines.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
