Google removes around 600 YouTube videos promoting sanctioned Russian drone factory

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said that Google has completed the global removal of around 600 videos promoting the Russian Alabuga factory and containing recruitment material for prospective workers.

Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter)

Details: According to Sybiha, the videos had been published across hundreds of YouTube channels with a combined audience of more than 500 million subscribers. They promoted Alabuga, a sanctioned Russian company that manufactures Shahed attack drones used by Russia to strike Ukrainian cities.

Sybiha has welcomed Google's decision and thanked the company for its cooperation. He also acknowledged the work of researchers who first uncovered the covert promotional integrations, as well as the cyber unit of the Security Service of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the minister stressed that the removal of the videos does not mark the end of the matter. He said Ukraine will seek sanctions against bloggers who accepted payment to promote the Russian factory.

"Knowingly advertising a plant that builds the drones killing Ukrainians is not a content decision. It carries consequences," Sybiha said.

Ukraine has also called on other major digital platforms to take similar action. According to the foreign minister, the recruitment campaign for Alabuga is still continuing across various online services.

Background: Earlier, YouTube began removing videos promoting the Alabuga factory after Ukraine raised the issue with the platform. The campaign to expose the content was launched by researchers who identified a network of bloggers publishing paid promotional integrations on behalf of the Russian company.

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