A blogger identified by the pseudonym Evgenia Hoffman was detained after reports that she burned her Russian passport on camera. The information came through a statement from the Bryansk regional press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as cited by TASS. Law enforcement confirmed that she has been taken into custody and is being held ahead of the upcoming hearing.
The incident quickly drew attention online after a post circulated on the Baza Telegram channel, which claimed Hoffman appeared to burn her passport in view of the camera. According to the channel, the act occurred while she was intoxicated and involved the destruction of an outdated and invalid ID card. Following the online publication of the video, commentators linked the act to alleged support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Hoffman has publicly denied these accusations, stating that the act was not intended as a political statement and that there was no supporting message behind it.
Earlier, another online blogger, Ksenia Stefan from Samara, was noted for burning a passport as an apparent display of national loyalty. This episode, taken together with the Hoffman case, has prompted discussions about how social media content can be misinterpreted and how authorities respond to seemingly provocative symbolic acts online.
Officials emphasize that any action involving travel documents or identification materials is treated seriously due to potential security and administrative implications. Investigators aim to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the rationale behind the act, the state of the passport at the time, and any connections to broader political messaging. The case illustrates the complexities of online behavior, public perception, and the role of official channels in clarifying facts during rapidly evolving events.