An official statement from the Interior Ministry reiterates that a widely circulated arrest video is not authentic. The ministry’s press secretary, Irina Volk, was cited as noting a voice in the clip that closely resembles her own, which has sparked questions about whether the recording could be a manipulated or misrepresented impression. In a post on the Telegram channel Kurt, a user claimed the voice matched Volk’s and that an armed group implicated in drug distribution among military personnel had been detained in the Kursk region. The ministry quickly moved to set the record straight, stressing that the claim about a drugs operation cannot be substantiated by the released footage and urging the public to rely on official communications from government channels. The ministry also emphasized the importance of verifying information through trustworthy outlets and cautioned against spreading unverified clips that may distort events or invent connections to criminal activity.
Officials emphasized that all formal press releases are issued exclusively through the Ministry’s channels and through Volk’s own official channel, underscoring the need for public trust in credible sources. The video circulating on social networks, they explained, does not depict a current operation against drugs; it comprises material from a 2019 arrest that has been miscaptioned. By clarifying the provenance of the footage, the ministry aims to prevent confusion and to help the public distinguish genuine law enforcement actions from outdated or altered material. The statement reinforces the principle that accurate, officially released information should guide public understanding rather than speculative postings on social platforms.
Earlier, the Ministry of Internal Affairs published footage showing the arrest of a suspect following an SUV explosion in Moscow. The car involved in the incident was linked to the general manager of Shaker Group LLC, a company that runs a restaurant operation. That firm’s most notable project is the Coyote Ugly bar, a familiar name in nightlife concepts. The ministry’s release did not tie this event to drug activity; instead, it provided context for the security incident and the property involved, noting that the footage had been released to inform the public about a specific case and to demonstrate the scope of law enforcement action. The clarification helps prevent the misinterpretation that fashioning a single clip into multiple drug-related claims is a common pattern in public discourse.
These instances highlight the ongoing challenge of misinformation on social networks, where old clips can be repackaged with dubious context to spark confusion or sensational claims. Analysts and the ministry alike stress the importance of verifying information through official sources before sharing or commenting. By prioritizing official channels, the public can receive precise updates that reflect the current status of investigations, rather than reacting to partially accurate or misleading footage that can distort perceptions of safety and security operations.
On a separate policy matter, Russian authorities previously rejected proposals to lower speed limits without penalties. The ministry clarified that this stance was taken after careful consideration of road safety and enforcement implications, emphasizing that any changes to traffic rules would undergo comprehensive review and clear public communication through established channels. The decision underscores the priority placed on safeguarding road users and ensuring that policy shifts are explained with transparency, so motorists and the public understand the rationale behind enforcement and penalties. This stance also illustrates how official bodies manage potentially controversial policy changes by coordinating messaging through verified outlets and avoiding premature or ambiguous announcements.