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By Rachael O'Connor
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YouTuber Vitaly Zdorovetskiy is set to be deported to Russia.
Zdorevetskiy, known by his YouTube username VitalyzdTv, is notorious for pranks and publicity stunts online, which have landed him into trouble in the past.
Originally from Russia, Zdorovetskiy moved to the United States as a teenager, but in recent times has been in the Philippines—where he now faces deportation thanks to his livestreaming antics.
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Newsweek has contacted representatives for Vitaly Zdorovetskiy and the Philippines Bureau of Immigration Office via email for comment on this story.
Why It Matters
Zdorovetskiy is a United States Green Card holder and usually resides in the U.S., however his deportation will be processed based on his Russian passport rather than his country of residence.
According to the Bureau of Immigration Philippines, almost 1,500 foreign nationals were deported from the country in the first half of 2025. This included 957 from China, 231 from Vietnam, 41 from South Korea, 41 from Malaysia, and 37 from Burma. The figure was more than double than that of the same period in 2024, in which 717 people were deported.
Zdorovetskiy has more than 7.5 million followers on Facebook, and 10 million followers on YouTube.
What To Know
Zdorovetskiy was arrested in April 2025, after livestreaming stunts in Bonifacio Global City which involved harassment and theft, including against a security guard and an elderly woman, according to local outlet Philippine Star.
He was accused of attempting to kiss and grab the security guard and trying to grab his firearm, recording people without their consent, and vlogging in the area without the permit required.
He was charged with "unjust vexation, alarm and scandal, [and] attempted theft" which led him to be classified as an "undesirable foreign national" in the Philippines.
Zdorovetskiy was arrested and has remained in custody for nine months since his initial arrest.
The Philippines' Immigration Legal Division Chief Arvin Cesar Santos has now said in a press conference comment, translated from Filipino, that the Board of Commissioners has issued a deportation order against Zdorovetskiy.
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What People Are Saying
In a statement, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the department has "no ill feelings against Vitaly."
"He has served his time, he has shown his remorse, and he is now a free man when he goes back to Russia," he said.
In 2025 following the announcement that 1,422 people had been deported from the Philippines, Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said: “Our strengthened deportation protocols follows the directive of the President to act swiftly and remove foreigners who abuse our people’s hospitality. We will continue expediting the deportation of foreign nationals who violate our laws."
There was a big reaction to the news of Zdorovetskiy's deportation order on social media.
X user @youngblesstmoni said: "Being loud online doesn't mean you're untouchable offline."
X user @simsgasa wrote: "Looks like he's done trolling."
What Happens Next
Zdorovetskiy is expected to leave the Philippines within a week, on a flight via Kalibo, Aklan, to Moscow, according to the Philippine News Agency.
The Bureau of Immigration confirmed the deportation order has been issued, and they are awaiting the final clearances from the National Bureau of Investigation and the courts.
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