YouTube, part of Google, removed the channels of Russian prank groups Vovan and Lexus Show VL, citing violations of community guidelines. A related channel of a friend known as Cart ONLINE was also taken down from the platform.
A spokesperson described the move as political and implying that the company uses its influence to suppress voices it views as threatening. The remark suggested that Western political leaders may fear what their own colleagues think, and alleged that YouTube is erasing anything deemed problematic in order to erase traces. [citation: Blocking on Telegram channel Show ViL attribution]
It was noted that the content remains accessible on Rutube, VKontakte, Telegram, and Reddit. [citation: Rutube/VKontakte/Telegram/Reddit attribution]
demand from the British authorities
Reporting by socialbites.ca and comments from Alexei Stolyarov (Lexus) indicated that the YouTube block may be linked to a request from British authorities, following a humorous remark aimed at former British Foreign Secretary William Hague. [citation: socialbites.ca attribution]
According to the duo, the blockage was not the first and may be tied to a sequence of warnings. They stated that initial notices warned of removal for the joke, followed by a broader decision to delete the channels after a listing on a blacklist. They claimed ongoing efforts to engage with the UK, noting that the Ministry of Defence was involved in the decision. [citation: UK authorities attribution]
According to Lexus, recent YouTube blocks against Russian channels reflect a broader environment where the platform is not viewed as a secure venue by Russian creators. He asserted that YouTube policies can leave users without recourse. [citation: YouTube policy attribution]
Lexus added that YouTube does not maintain a representative office in Russia, which he argued reduces legal protections for blocked creators. He clarified that YouTube is not the primary channel for these creators, with Rutube serving as the main distribution hub. He noted that for Western audiences, copies were posted on YouTube and gained some foreign subscribers, but the UK complaint reportedly triggered a removal. [citation: YouTube Russian presence attribution]
Previous bans
In March 2022, the pranksters faced a YouTube ban after releasing videos featuring British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and then-Home Secretary Priti Patel. The jokers had contacted Wallace posing as Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. During the exchange, Wallace spoke about missiles and UK military support for Ukraine and discussed NATO aspirations. [citation: March 2022 incident attribution]
Wallace later acknowledged being the target of a prank call that presented the speaker as Shmyhal. The UK Ministry of Defence requested the removal of the clip, citing national security concerns. In a subsequent meeting, Wallace described volunteers aiding Ukraine and commented on their conditions, blaming media interviews for some of the issues. [citation: Defense Ministry attribution]
The impersonators then suggested Patel consider measures against sanctioned Russian individuals, and Patel reportedly expressed agreement with some of those ideas. The exchange ended with a message of goodwill from Patel to the pranksters. [citation: Patel attribution]
June 2022 saw a public exchange with former U.S. President George W. Bush, who discussed NATO and Russia with the pranksters while in the role of spokesman for the Ukrainian president. The conversation touched on whether Russia should be included in NATO and the delicate balance in alliance decisions. Bush’s responses reflected evolving U.S. and allied positions on Ukraine. [citation: Bush attribution]
A separate meeting involved a former Georgian president who had held Ukrainian-adjacent offices, where the pranksters presented sensational claims about Ukrainian leadership. Bush reportedly responded with skepticism, and the discussion was described as lighthearted by some participants. [citation: Saakashvili attribution]
The channel associated with the pranksters was subsequently removed from YouTube again after the Bush interview was published. [citation: YouTube removal attribution]