Russian vlogger nabbed for 'HIV spread' threat: Videos meant to go viral, not to harm

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January 24, 2026 | 2:17pm

MANILA, Philippines — A Russian vlogger arrested in Quezon City over videos suggesting he would spread HIV in the Philippines said he does not have the virus and that the content was intended to go viral online.

Nikita Chekhov, 21, told GMA Integrated News’ “24 Oras” that he never meant to harm or negatively affect Filipinos.

“I do content for a living.  But never in a negative in any kind of form to anybody.  I’ve been making TikToks for Filipino audience too,” Chekhov said.

He explained that the controversial videos were a reaction to hostile online comments he received as a foreigner.

I was getting many comments like ‘stop spreading your viruses, foreigner,’ ‘passport bro,’ ‘lbh,’ ‘HIV alert.’  Just for being me.  I was just doing some dances, silent TikToks, and still was getting that hate,” he said.

Chekhov added that the “spread HIV” content was his way of reflecting those comments, hoping it would become a meme.

“As a content creator, I analyzed, and thought how do I attract attention? And that’s how I came up with ‘spread HIV’ thing – I literally said out loud what Filipinos were saying to me.  I was expecting it to become a meme,” he said.

He also stressed that he does not have HIV and treats health matters seriously.

“I’m from Russia, where people treat health very seriously.  I’m absolutely clean and do not have HIV.  I do not have HIV and do not have intentions to spread it,” Chekhov said.

While he said he does not regret the video, Chekhov admitted it made him more aware of Filipino norms.

“I like Philippines and come here a lot.  I do not feel sorry for making that video.  But now I understand more about standards and rules of living with Filipinos,” he said.

Chekhov was arrested Thursday by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) inside a condominium building in Quezon City. The BI said he uploaded videos filmed in Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City in which he claimed he intended to spread HIV during his stay.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado described Chekhov’s content as “rage bait” that caused widespread concern among residents and online users. The bureau is coordinating with the Department of Health on the case.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier warned that foreigners who mock Filipinos through vlogs would face the full force of the law. 

“Let this be an example to all tourists. We welcome you to the Philippines, but do not abuse our hospitality,” Remulla said.

Chekhov, a native of Taganrog, Rostov Oblast, Russia, arrived in the Philippines from Shanghai, China on January 15 as a tourist and reportedly has no relatives in the country.

Chekhov’s arrest follows a series of incidents involving foreign content creators disrespecting local communities. On January 15, Estonian YouTuber Siim Roosipuu was declared persona non grata in Dumaguete City after calling Filipinos monkeys.

His arrest also came four days after the deportation of Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy for harassing Filipinos in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.