Putin’s RT TV network banned globally by Youtube

RT was once the most watched news channel on Youtube, now it’s been blocked in retaliation for Russia’s misinformation war.

YouTube is immediately blocking access around the world to channels associated with Russian state-funded media,, citing a policy barring content that denies well-documented violent events.

The world’s most used streaming video servicesays Russia’s invasion of Ukraine now fell under its violent events policy and violating material would be removed.

YouTube says the blocking of the Russian outlets was in line with that policy.

Over the past few weeks, YouTube blocked leading Russia state-backed channels RT and Sputnik across Europe.

Russian state media have called restrictions placed on them by distributors, which include app stores and other social media services, unjustified censorship.

“The blocking by YouTube is nothing but a new turn of an atrocious attack on one of the fundamental principles of a democratic society – that is freedom of the press,” Sputnik said in a statement.

Youtube hasn’t said whether the Russian networks will be restored to the service.

Workers across Google had been urging YouTube to take additional punitive measures against Russian channels, accusing them of spreading false narratives about the Ukrainian leadership and civilian deaths during the war, according to three employees at the company.