The total amount of claims filed by Russian state TV channels against YouTube has reached 1.8 duodecillion rubles — a figure with 39 zeros — the Russian business media outlet RBC reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
«The specified amount represents the debt accumulated by Google as of Jan. 15 for failing to comply with the demand to restore the accounts of Russian media on YouTube,» RBC cited the source.
Meanwhile, the debt continues to grow each week.
Legal proceedings against YouTube in Russia began as early as five years ago, initiated by the pro-Kremlin channels Tsargrad and Ria Fan, part of the Patriot media group founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin. In 2022, other Russian state-affiliated media outlets joined the case after their channels were blocked following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to The Washington Post, the value of 1.8 duodecillion rubles exceeds the GDP of the entire world, so the parties will have to decide the dispute some other way rather than with the fine payment.
Last December, Kursiv.media reported that traffic in Russia dropped to just 20% of its usual rate. IT experts believe the platform has been blocked entirely.
