YouTuber Vitaly on Philippine imprisonment: 'They really tried to break me, but it built me'

After being deported back to Russia earlier in January, controversial vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy took to social media to share his experience in a Philippine detention facility.

On Instagram, Vitaly shared photos and videos of himself in jail as well as shots of his arrival in Russia.

"After 290 days in the Philippines jail with rats, cockroaches, and +35 Celsius weather, I am finally free," he wrote. "They really tried to break me, but it built me."

"Out of the 290 days, I spent 91 days in complete Isolation. They wanted me gone but I'm here, all glory to GOD!" he added.

Vitaly also thanked those who have continued to support him "during these difficult times" and said that he is set to release a complete documentary of his experience soon.

In April 2025, Vitaly, who has over 10 million YouTube followers and posts prank videos from countries he has visited, was apprehended by Philippine authorities for a series of law-breaking stunts.

He drew the ire of netizens after uploading videos of himself harassing Filipinos while filming around Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

After 290 days in the Phillipines jail with rats, cockroaches, and +35 Celsius weather, I am finally free. They really tried to break me but it built me. Out of the 290 days, I spent 91 days in complete Isolation. They wanted me gone but I’m here, all glory to GOD!!! ??‍???? pic.twitter.com/li2tsgMarG

— VitalyTheGoat???? (@vitalyzdtv) January 20, 2026

—Hermes Joy Tunac/JCB, GMA Integrated News