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Estonia Deports Russian National Accused of Starting a “Fight Club”

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Ivan_khomenko
Ivan Khomenko
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Estonia Deports Russian National Accused of Starting a “Fight Club”
An Estonian policeman stands near anti-tank obstacles at the Narva border crossing with Russia amid snowfall on December 15, 2024. (Source: Getty Images)

Estonia has deported Konstantin Gorlov, a Russian citizen found guilty of publicly justifying international crimes and promoting pro-Russian propaganda through social media.

According to ERR on April 5, Gorlov was expelled from the country overnight in a joint operation conducted by the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board and the Security Police. Authorities stated that he posed a threat to public order and national security.

In March 2025, an Estonian court fined Gorlov €800 after finding him guilty of publicly justifying international crimes via TikTok. The charges stemmed from a livestream in which he displayed symbols associated with acts of aggression and genocide, including the coat of arms of the Russian Federation.

Gorlov has also been linked to activities considered dangerous by Estonian authorities. According to police spokesperson Marta Tuul, his long-term residence permit was revoked due to repeated expressions of support for Russia and activities described as extreme right-wing. His firearms license had already been cancelled in 2022 on security grounds.

Estonian security officers escort Russian national Konstantin Gorlov at the border following his deportation for promoting pro-Russian propaganda and justifying war crimes. (Source: ERR)
Estonian security officers escort Russian national Konstantin Gorlov at the border following his deportation for promoting pro-Russian propaganda and justifying war crimes. (Source: ERR)

Officials suspect Gorlov of having connections with Russian intelligence services operating in the interests of the military. Tuul added that he founded and actively developed a “fight club” affiliated with the so-called Russian Imperial Legion. The club reportedly offered training in the use of bladed weapons and tactical medicine.

In addition to his offline activities, Gorlov maintained a strong online presence, promoting narratives aligned with Russian state propaganda. His content and affiliations were deemed incompatible with Estonia’s legal standards and national values, leading to the enforcement of a re-entry ban alongside his deportation.

Earlier, The Financial Times revealed that a Russian-founded advertising agency, AdNow, had been spreading disinformation and political propaganda across Europe for years. The company was linked to anti-vaccine campaigns during the Covid-19 pandemic in France and Germany, and later supported a pro-Russian presidential candidate in Romania.

Despite changes in ownership, AdNow maintained ties to pro-Kremlin circles and used advanced profiling tools to manipulate public opinion through targeted advertising.

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