He's one of the most controversial content creators out there, but after making a name for himself as an internet 'prankster' and raking in millions of views, Vitaly Zdorovetskiy became the poster boy for, "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime."
After spending nearly 300 days locked behind bars in the Philippines, Vitaly is back on his home turf of Russia and reflecting on his experience. The question is, has his stint in Filipino 'jail hell' seen him learn his lesson, or will he soon be back to his old ways to garner clicks on the likes of YouTube and Kick?
In case you were wondering why Vitaly Zdorovetskiy's socials have been mysteriously quiet for most of 2025, it's because he's been banged up over a lengthy rap sheet. Having previously been arrested for climbing the Hollywood Sign, interrupting the 2017 World Series as he ran onto the field, and climbing the Pyramids of Giza, he'd somehow managed only to spend five days in an Egyptian jail.
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While filming content in the Philippines, Vitaly was accused of everything from stealing a patrol motorcycle from a security guard to threatening to rob a woman, driving recklessly, and stealing from a McDonald's kitchen.
As local cases mounted, Zdorovetskiy faced charges for 'unjust vexation', theft, and publicly harassing bystanders around Metro Manila. Both the USA and Russia denounced Vitaly, while authorities at the time vowed to make an example out of him upon arrest. 290 days in the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) doesn't sound like much fun, but with him escaping a potential 24-year sentence, we'd say he'd been pretty lucky.
Law expert Legal Mindset referred to Vitaly's conditions as 'jail hell', and according to the man himself, it was an accurate description. Having finished serving his sentence in January 2026, Vitaly Zdorovetskiy is free and telling his side of the story.
Taking to X, Vitaly wrote: "After 290 days in the Phillipines jail with rats, cockroaches, and +35 Celsius weather, I am finally free."
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Saying that authorities tried to 'break' him, Zdorovetskiy maintains that it actually helped build him. Claiming he spent 91 days in complete isolation, he then concluded: "They wanted me gone but I’m here, all glory to GOD!!! ⛓️💥
There were reports that Vitaly had found religion while behind bars, with his post seeming to back up some of these claims.
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Expect to find out more about what exactly went down, with the creator promising to reveal all in a 'full documentary' that will be coming soon.
In a statement, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said there are "no ill feelings against Vitaly," adding: "He has served his time, he has shown his remorse, and he is now a free man when he goes back to Russia."
The replies to Vitaly were full of a mix of welcome home messages, those saying they hope he's learned his lessons, and others suggesting he should've been left to rot there.
One supporter wrote: "Internet isn't ready for what's to come. Glad to have you back."
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Someone else responded, "Learn your lesson and move on," while the top comment reads, "Only rat in that jail was you."
Could a return to content creation be on the cards? Despite being banned from Kick, the official X account replied to Zdorovetskiy's homecoming post and similarly welcomed him back.