Russian Blogger-Soldier Accused of Child Sexual Abuse Returns to Army Ranks

A Saint Petersburg court has allowed Klaud Rommel, a Russian blogger accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl, to avoid pre-trial detention. Instead, Rommel, who is serving in the Russian military under contract, has been sent back to his unit.

According to Important Stories, Rommel, 31, is accused of repeatedly assaulting the minor—his partner’s daughter—over a period from September 2022 to February 2024. Reports suggest he moved the child into his room, claiming it was necessary due to her “difficult relationship with her mother.”

The case came to public attention earlier this year after a family member of the girl contacted authorities. Following the report, the child was placed in a shelter, while Rommel joined the Russian army, reportedly to evade investigation. Russian media outlets, including the pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Baza, reported that he was deployed to Ukraine shortly after police began looking into the allegations.

Rommel has maintained an active presence online, where he discusses Orthodox Christianity and posts updates from the battlefield. His content gained attention after a video showing him injured by a drone strike went viral in August.

The investigation into Rommel’s actions reportedly has substantial evidence to support charges of sexual assault and other violent acts. While Rommel denies the allegations, he has admitted to performing what he called “medical massages” on the child. Media reports have also suggested the possibility of additional victims, as Rommel is known to have interacted with several minors from vulnerable backgrounds, some of whom appeared in his videos.

The court session on October 3 was held behind closed doors.