Blogger fined for sharing dream about Zelensky on Instagram

A RUSSIAN blogger has been fined for “discrediting the military” after describing a dream he had about Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian leader.

Ivan Losev of Chita in Russia’s fareastern Zabaykalsky region, was unaware his Instagram account was being monitored by the Federal Security Service (FSB).

The 26-year-old was handed a 30,000 ruble fine (about £400) after being found to be in breach of a law that cracks down on dissent against the invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Losev wrote in his social media post: “Last night, I dreamed about being mobilised and brought to some kind of boot camp. Suddenly Armed Forces of Ukraine fighters led by Zelensky burst in, rounded everyone up, and were about to execute us by firing squad.

“At this moment, Zelensky walks past me and says ‘Ah, I’ve seen your stories on Instagram. Glory to Ukraine!’ I reply: ‘Glory to heroes!’ Zelensky pats me on the shoulder and approvingly says ‘Let this one go, and execute everyone else’.

“So there we are, me and him, standing side by side, watching, and I tell him ‘Can I get a selfie with you for my Instagram?’ Zelensky says: ‘Sure’.”

He was told the charges brought against him carried a potential 15-year jail term.

“This is idiocy,” Mr Losev reportedly told the official who informed him he was facing legal action.

Meanwhile, captive residents in occupied Mariupol were said to be on the brink of civil unrest as they face winter without central heating.

About 90 per cent of the buildings and critical infrastructure have been destroyed or damaged after being pounded by Russian missiles at the start of the war.

Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to the city’s exiled mayor warned the despair could soon spill over into fullblown riots against the authorities.

“A riot is brewing in Mariupol. Propaganda images no longer work, occupation authorities are silent, while problems are piling up. All that is missing is a catalyst,” he wrote on Telegram.

Separately, Viktor Bout, a former arms dealer who recently returned to Russia in a high-profile prisoner exchange, has joined the pro-kremlin ultranationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR).

Andrei Lugovoi, who is wanted in Britain on suspicion of poisoning Alexander Litvenenko, the former Russian spy, joined the LDPR after fleeing to Russia in 2007. The group supports Moscow on many key issues including the invasion of Ukraine.

‘I dreamed about being mobilised and brought to some kind of boot camp and Zelensky burst in’