Russian-American internet personality Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, widely known online as VitalyzdTv, will be deported to Russia in the coming weeks, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed on Friday.
The 33-year-old streamer was arrested in April 2025 in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, following a series of disruptive and illegal acts carried out during live broadcasts on the streaming platform Kick. Authorities said Zdorovetskiy harassed local residents, stole a security guard’s cap and motorcycle, took items from restaurants without permission, and caused public disturbance while filming prank content.
He was charged with theft, unjust vexation, and alarm and scandal, offenses that sparked public outrage and renewed criticism over foreign content creators exploiting local communities for online engagement.
According to immigration officials, Zdorovetskiy has already served nearly nine months in detention, including time credited from pre-trial confinement. After entering a guilty plea, the courts cleared his criminal cases, paving the way for his removal from the country.
The Bureau of Immigration has now formally declared him an “undesirable alien” and ordered his deportation on his Russian passport. He will also be blacklisted from re-entering the Philippines.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the decision sends a strong message to foreign vloggers who treat the country as a backdrop for reckless online stunts.
“This should serve as a warning to so-called prank-content tourists who think they can disrespect Filipinos for views and walk away without consequences,” Remulla said.
Zdorovetskiy rose to online fame over a decade ago for extreme prank videos, many of which have previously landed him in legal trouble in other countries. His arrest in Manila reignited debate over the responsibilities of digital influencers and the limits of content creation in public spaces.
Immigration authorities confirmed that deportation arrangements are now underway and that Zdorovetskiy will be barred from returning to the Philippines indefinitely.
