Russian TikToker fined over viral video at drone strike location
A 20-year-old Russian woman has been fined after posting a TikTok video showing her and two friends rapping in front of a burning fuel depot in Sochi. The burning fuel is the aftermath of a reported Ukrainian drone strike.
Authorities said the fire broke out at a Rosneft fuel storage facility after debris from a Ukrainian drone landed in the area overnight.
Instead of evacuating or showing concern, the group recorded themselves performing a rap song as the flames raged behind them.
The video quickly went viral, drawing public outrage for what many saw as disrespectful behaviour during a national emergency. Russian police responded by detaining all three individuals featured in the clip.
The woman, who shared the footage online, was fined 30,000 rubles (about £283 or $375) for what officials described as “inappropriate behaviour during an emergency.”
In court, she reportedly attributed her actions to being intoxicated at the time. Authorities later released a video of the three individuals apologising for the incident.
The song featured in the TikTok was Crimson Dawn by Russian rap duo Endshpil and Miyagi. Though the track itself wasn’t offensive, the decision to record in front of an active emergency site is what triggered the legal consequences.
The Ukrainian military later confirmed it had targeted a fuel facility in Sochi, but made no reference to the viral video.
This case underscores growing scrutiny of social media behaviour in Russia, particularly in relation to national security and wartime incidents. It also serves as a warning to content creators: in certain contexts, what might seem like a moment of virality can quickly lead to legal trouble.
(BBC)
