Romanian Vloggers Detained in Russia Amidst Tightening Media Control

Two Romanian travel vloggers, Cristi and Denisa, were detained, allegedly stripped to their underwear and expelled from Russia after a visit during which they posted numerous videos praising life in the country. The incident, reported on February 13, 2026, by Digi24, highlights Russia’s increasing control over digital communications and its sensitivity towards foreign perspectives.

Praising Life in Russia

Cristi and Denisa, who operate the YouTube channel “n2 Prin Lume,” spent over 30 days filming in Russia, showcasing what they described as clean streets and low prices. Their videos, including titles like “This is the RUSSIA that TV doesn’t aim for you to see! Clean streets and low prices” and “We reached the real Russia, not what you are shown on TV,” garnered attention for their positive portrayal of the country. They too interviewed a Romanian family living in Ulyanovsk, with one interviewee stating that portrayals of life in Russia on Romanian television were “a complete lie,” and echoing the sentiment “There is freedom here.”

Detention and Expulsion

According to Digi24 and Ziare.com, the pair were later stopped and questioned by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) at an airport in Vladivostok. They were reportedly given a 50-year entry ban. Both Digi24 and Libertatea reported that the vloggers claimed they were detained, forced to undress to their underwear, and then expelled from the country. The vloggers stated they were considered “criminals” by Russian authorities simply for visiting the country.

Broader Context: Tightening Control

This case occurs as Russia intensifies its control over digital communications, promoting state-backed alternatives and restricting access to foreign platforms. Recent actions include moves to fully block Meta’s WhatsApp and encourage users to switch to state-supported messengers. The Digi24 report noted that Cristi and Denisa relied on phones and filming equipment to produce content on platforms restricted in Russia, highlighting the disparity between what visitors can record and what Russian citizens can access.

Focus on Domestic Tourism

Alongside tightening digital controls, Russia is actively promoting domestic tourism through initiatives like the “Discover Russia” branding push, as highlighted at the country’s “Let’s Travel!” tourism forum. This effort aims to grow internal tourism within Russia.

Previous Restrictions

The escalation of internet censorship in Russia includes the removal of YouTube and WhatsApp from the country’s National Domain Name System as part of a broader “sovereign internet” approach.

Sources:United24media, Ziare.com, Libertatea, Adevarul