Russia's Justice Ministry has added eight names to its listing of overseas brokers in politics and media, together with Yuri Dud, who's considered one of Russia's hottest YouTubers and has over 10 million subscribers, authorities information company Tass mentioned.

Dud's YouTube channel options interviews that often get a number of million views. Jake Cordell, a journalist who covers Russia's economic system and companies, mentioned that Dud interviewed a number of distinguished opponents of the Ukraine warfare in current weeks.

The naming of a brand new group of overseas brokers got here on the identical day as experiences saying that Russia has restricted entry to a number of information web sites, together with the Russian- language pages of unbiased information outlet The Moscow Occasions and Radio France Internationale, in response to NetBlocks, an internet site that tracks on-line shutdowns.

Along with Dud, state media reported that a number of journalists, political analysts and not less than two folks concerned with Russian LGBT organizations have been added to the overseas brokers listing.

Dud's addition to the listing just isn't the primary time he has been a goal of the Russian authorities. Final summer season, he was accused of "on-line drug propaganda" after a filed grievance alleged that he promoted medication in not less than two interviews, in response to The Moscow Occasions.

Russia YouTube Yuri Dud
A well-liked Russian YouTuber who interviews company has been deemed a "overseas agent" by the Russian authorities. Above, the Kremlin in 2018. Mladen Atonov/AFP through Getty Photos

Russia and corporations from internationally have been at odds for the reason that invasion of Ukraine started in late February, with a whole bunch suspending their providers in Russia or closing workplaces, together with Massive Tech firms equivalent to Google and Fb.

Russia additionally handed laws after the warfare began that permits for harsher punishments towards those that publish "false data" in regards to the "particular navy operation" in Ukraine. The Russian authorities has additionally restricted entry to dozens of reports shops and web sites reporting in regards to the warfare.

Final month, Russia restricted entry to Fb inside its borders after Meta, Fb's dad or mum firm, rejected requests from the federal government to halt using unbiased fact-checking providers. These providers often labeled state-owned media shops as false or deceptive.

Google altered its advert coverage final month, halting the sale of commercials that will have allowed monetization of content material that "exploits, dismisses or condones" the Ukraine warfare. The announcement got here on the identical day that Russia restricted use of the Google Information app inside the nation as a result of it was distributing "false data" in regards to the warfare to its customers.

Additionally final month, YouTube, which is owned by Google, introduced it was halting the location of advertisements on movies from Russian creators. Consequently, individuals who produce movies will be unable to earn money on views generated from inside Russia.

Replace 4/15/22, 4:30 p.m. ET: This story has been up to date with extra data and background.