Student Denied Russia Entry Over Social Media Likes

A student with Israeli and Ukrainian citizenship, Noa Cohen (name changed), who was studying at a Russian university, was denied entry into Russia due to likes on Instagram.

Consensus

The student, Noa Cohen, had dual citizenship of Israel and Ukraine.
She was studying at a Russian university since 2021 and entered Russia on a student visa as an Israeli citizen.
In summer 2025, she flew from Europe to Moscow via Minsk.
At Sheremetyevo Airport, her phone was seized and she was detained for a seven-hour interrogation.
Border officials questioned her views on war, Russian politics, and her social media activity.
She was denied entry to Russia based on her social media likes and music preferences.
She was expelled from the country and later received a ban on re-entry.
She attempted to challenge the decision through a lawyer but was unsuccessful.
The court cited her social media activity as a threat to Russia's security.
The court document stated she denied liking posts and misled officials during the interview.
She was told that liking content is considered an action by border officials.
She was informed that her phone contained likes on posts related to Ukraine's military, LGBTQ+ ideology, and foreign agents, as well as subscriptions to channels that discredit Russia.

Points of divergence

The student was denied entry after a phone check and later expelled. She was warned by Israeli security that Belarusian border officials also warned against her entry. — novaya_eu
The student was denied entry and sent back to Minsk. The court cited her actions as a threat to Russia’s security. — tg_astrapress
The student was told that her views on LGBTQ+ were dismissed as 'we sit quieter than water and lower than grass,' but concerns about Ukraine were emphasized. — tg_tvrain
The student was told that liking content is an action, and she was questioned about her family's situation in Israel. — tvrain
The student was questioned about her family’s situation in Israel, and she responded by referencing events in Israel. — tg_radiosvoboda
The student was questioned about her family's situation in Israel, and she responded by referring to events in Israel. — tg_currenttime
Many passengers on the same flight were also subjected to checks and interrogations. The student was unable to eat non-kosher food due to religious reasons and had no place to sleep during the wait. — mediazona

Coverage (8 sources)

Russia banned entry to Israeli citizen over Instagram likes — "Mediazona". — ЭХО / Новости
Student with Israeli and Ukrainian passports denied entry to Russia due to music and likes on posts about VU and LGBT — Новая газета Европа
Israeli woman, who studied in Moscow, denied entry to Russia due to social media likes — ASTRA
Citizen of Israel and Ukraine, who studied in Moscow, was banned from entering Russia because she listened to Monetochka and liked Na... — Дождь (Telegram)
Citizen of Israel and Ukraine, who studied in Russia, was banned from entering the country because she listened to Monetochka and liked Navalny — Дождь
Student with Israeli and Ukrainian citizenship banned from entering Russia due to Instagram likes — Радио Свобода
Student with Israeli and Ukrainian citizenship banned from entering Russia due to Instagram likes — Настоящее Время
Russia banned entry to a student with Israeli citizenship for likes on social media posts about the Armed Forces of Ukraine and LGBT — Медиазона

Student Denied Russia Entry Over Social Media Likes

Consensus

Points of divergence

Coverage (8 sources)

Key entities

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