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Russian comedian accused of telling offensive joke about Ukraine war veteran is jailed for nearly six years
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on February 4, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 4, 2026
Home > Headlines > Russian comedian accused of telling offensive joke about Ukraine war veteran is jailed for nearly six years
Quick Summary
Russian comedian Artemy Ostanin sentenced to nearly six years for a joke about a war veteran, showcasing Russia's strict censorship laws.
Russian Comedian Sentenced to Nearly Six Years for Offensive Joke
Legal Consequences of Offensive Humor
MOSCOW, Feb 4 (Reuters) - A Russian stand-up comedian was convicted of inciting hatred and jailed for nearly six years on Wednesday over a joke he made about a legless war veteran, which triggered outrage among nationalists and military bloggers.
Details of the Case
A Reuters reporter in court said that the comedian, Artemy Ostanin, had been handed a sentence of five years and nine months and a fine of 300,000 roubles ($3,908).
Impact of Censorship Laws
It was the latest in a series of rulings which have harshly punished people judged by the authorities to have spoken rudely or falsely about the Russian army at a time when it is fighting in Ukraine.
Public Reaction and Apology
Ostanin was also convicted of offending the feelings of Christians with another off-colour joke he made about Jesus, which angered Orthodox nationalists.
Ostanin, who had apologised to anyone whose feelings he had hurt, denied wrongdoing and said that the joke he made about the war veteran had made no mention of the conflict in Ukraine.
His arrest and treatment were punishment enough for any offence he had caused, Ostanin said during his trial.
Russia passed sweeping censorship laws in 2022 shortly after it went to war in Ukraine. Pro-Kremlin figures and organisations have since publicly denounced people they deem to have broken those laws, and have reported them to the authorities.
($1 = 76.7500 roubles)
(Reporting by Andrew OsbornEditing by Mark Trevelyan)
Key Takeaways
- •Comedian Artemy Ostanin jailed for nearly six years.
- •Convicted of inciting hatred with a joke about a war veteran.
- •Case highlights Russia's strict censorship laws.
- •Ostanin also offended Christians with a separate joke.
- •Public and nationalist outrage influenced the trial.
Frequently Asked Questions about Russian comedian accused of telling offensive joke about Ukraine war veteran is jailed for nearly six years
1What are censorship laws?
Censorship laws are regulations that restrict or control what can be published or broadcasted, often aimed at protecting national security or public morals.
2What is the role of military bloggers?
Military bloggers are individuals who write about military affairs, often providing commentary, analysis, and personal perspectives on military operations and issues.
3What is public outrage?
Public outrage is a strong emotional response from the community, often triggered by perceived injustices or offensive actions, leading to calls for accountability or change.
