Russian singer and composer Leonid Agutin pressed for an additional million rubles from Tula blogger Ilya Mamaev, who had accused the artist of Satanism. Life, connected to the Shot channel, reported on this development. The dispute centers on libel and non-pecuniary damages, with Agutin also seeking compensation for legal costs. In total, he tallies his expenses, including travel, at 1,096,000 rubles.
Mamaev defended his stance by recounting events from 2020, when he claimed Agutin suggested he could influence the minds of viewers through a video for the song “Turn on the Lights.” In Mamaev’s narration, the clip allegedly contained references to devilish numbers, a supposed global conspiracy, and Freemasons, whom he asserted were present in the video’s imagery. The musician responded with a libel lawsuit, arguing that the blogger’s statements damaged his reputation. Mamaev appeared in court only once.
According to Agutin’s attorney, Mamaev intentionally delayed proceedings by initially asserting a residence permit in Oryol, which led to the case being filed in an Oryol court. It later emerged that Mamaev’s actual origin was from Tula. The litigation spanned three years, during which the disputed video was eventually removed from social networks, removing a piece of the wider online conversation that had surrounded the matter.
In a separate incident reported in Saint Petersburg, authorities detained a group described as “trash bloggers” who had assaulted pedestrians and posted footage of the attacks online. The episode highlighted ongoing concerns about the impact of provocative content and the rapid spread of harmful material across social platforms. The legal actions taken in these cases illustrate a broader push to address online conduct and defamation, while balancing freedom of expression with individual reputational protection.
Earlier, Veronica Syromlya—known for her participation in a popular reality show—was mentioned in connection with ongoing public conversations about fame, media coverage, and personal life. The reference underscores how public figures and entertainers frequently become focal points in debates over responsibility, sensationalism, and the consequences of online storytelling for both celebrities and ordinary individuals alike.