Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy claimed he spent nearly 10 months in harsh detention conditions in the Philippines, including prolonged isolation, before his deportation, according to a post he shared on social media platform X.
In his post, Zdorovetskiy said he was jailed for 290 days in what he described as sweltering conditions with rats and cockroaches, adding that he spent 91 days in complete isolation.
“They really tried to break me but it built me,” the 33-year-old content creator wrote, saying his experience strengthened his faith and resilience.
After 290 days in the Phillipines jail with rats, cockroaches, and +35 Celsius weather, I am finally free. They really tried to break me but it built me. Out of the 290 days, I spent 91 days in complete Isolation. They wanted me gone but I’m here, all glory to GOD!!! ⛓️💥 pic.twitter.com/li2tsgMarG
— VitalyTheGoat🐐 (@vitalyzdtv) January 20, 2026
The statement came after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that Zdorovetskiy was deported to Russia on January 17, ending months of detention following his arrest last year.
Zdorovetskiy was arrested on April 3, 2025, at a hotel in Pasay City by the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) after the BI issued a Mission Order for Undesirability against him.
Authorities said the Russian-American vlogger was taken into custody for violating BI operations orders on acts or omissions that constitute the undesirability of foreign nationals, in relation to the Philippine Immigration Act.
The arrest stemmed from allegations that Zdorovetskiy harassed Filipinos during a livestream, prompting immigration authorities to move for his detention and eventual deportation.
Meanwhile, immigration officials reported that another foreign vlogger has been arrested in a separate case involving similar online content.
An Estonian national identified as Siim Roosipuu was apprehended on January 15 and placed under deportation proceedings for allegedly engaging in so-called “Vitaly-style” vlogging.
The Bureau of Immigration reiterated that foreign nationals who violate Philippine laws or engage in acts considered undesirable may face arrest, detention, and deportation.
