Russian vlogger’s deportation set

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ordered the deportation of Russian YouTube personality Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, officials announced Thursday.

Zdorovetskiy, known to his 10 million followers as “Vitaly,” is expected to be sent back to Russia within the week. The move follows his April 2025 arrest for a series of disruptive stunts and the harassment of locals in Taguig City’s Bonifacio Global City.

Arvin Santos, chief of the bureau’s legal division, disclosed that the board of commissioners has finalized the deportation order and cited that while the deportation is subject to clearances from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Zdorovetskiy has already completed his legal obligations.

“His cases at the Taguig Regional Trial Court and Metropolitan Trial Court have been resolved, and his penalties are deemed served,” Santos said. “We are now coordinating with Russia for his return.”

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla clarified that although Zdorovetskiy holds a US green card, he remains a Russian citizen and will be deported on his Russian passport.

Remulla stressed that while the Philippines remains open to tourists, visitors are expected to respect local laws.

“We have no ill feelings against Vitaly,” Remulla said. “He has served his time and he has shown his remorse. He is now a free man when he goes back to Russia.”

Zdorovetskiy gained notoriety in the Philippines last year after uploading videos that showed him harassing bystanders, drawing widespread criticism from social media users and local authorities.