Foreign Content Creators in Russia Must Avoid Spreading Kremlin Propaganda, Says Novaya Gazeta Europe

French Cyclist Released After 50-Day Detention in Russia for Illegal Border Crossing

French endurance cyclist Sofiane Sehili has been released from detention in Ussuriysk, Russia’s Far East, after spending 50 days in police custody. Sehili was arrested for illegally crossing into Russia from China while attempting to break the world record for the fastest endurance cycle from Lisbon to Vladivostok.

Upon his release, Sehili told reporters he had been treated “like everyone else” while in jail and described the Russians he encountered as “friendly.” He acknowledged that his decision to cross the border illegally had been naive given the “tense” situation in Russia—an apparent reference to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the country’s heightened security concerns following recent Ukrainian sabotage incidents.

While Sehili plans to continue his record-breaking pursuits, he ruled out returning to Russia anytime soon and cautioned others against breaking any laws there. His characterization of Russian jail as “not a nice place, but not a violent place either” stands in stark contrast to the documented realities of Russia’s prison system.

Human rights organizations paint a much grimmer picture of Russian detention facilities. Novaya Gazeta Europe reported the death of at least 15 political prisoners in the Russian prison system last year alone. Additionally, over 200 Ukrainian prisoners of war have died in Russian custody since 2022. Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna’s body showed “numerous marks consistent with torture,” including bruising, a broken rib, and “possible signs of electrocution,” according to Human Rights Watch.

Sehili’s status as a French citizen likely afforded him certain privileges during his detention, but that same status could have made him a valuable bargaining chip for the Kremlin in negotiations with Western governments. He could have faced up to two years in prison, and in Russia’s autocratic system, charges can easily be inflated.

The cyclist’s case highlights a growing trend among Western influencers and content creators seeking to distinguish themselves by traveling to controversial destinations like Russia. Many of these influencers emphasize the kindness and hospitality of ordinary Russians while glossing over the country’s political realities.

Ukrainian media outlet United24 recently investigated foreign influencers operating in Russia, revealing connections between some content creators and Kremlin funding. The Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives (PFKI), established in 2021 to finance cultural and creative projects, now frequently engages in disseminating state propaganda and whitewashing the regime’s actions in Ukraine.

These influencers, while often focusing on seemingly apolitical content such as cultural activities or daily life, frequently repeat Kremlin narratives about Russia’s supposed safety—a product of its police state—or its commitment to “traditional values,” which manifests as discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, feminists, and others.

According to United24, PFKI also funds more explicit war propaganda, including content from creators like Ruslan Ostashko, who became guardian of a Ukrainian child allegedly abducted from an orphanage in Russian-occupied Luhansk.

Western influencers in Russia often claim they simply want to show the “real” Russia and connect with its people. However, critics argue this approach substitutes a state-approved version of life for the actual lived experiences of Russians, which include the regime’s suppression of dissent and its actions against Ukraine.

Sehili’s case serves as a cautionary tale about the risks foreign influencers take when entering Russia, especially illegally. Whether intentionally or not, they can become unwitting participants in Russia’s propaganda efforts to influence global opinion, while potentially endangering themselves and those they interact with.

As Sehili returns to his cycling pursuits, his brief detention stands as a reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape that adventurers and influencers navigate, sometimes with insufficient understanding of the potential consequences of their actions.