A Novosibirsk resident who created a "death group" has been sentenced to nine years in a maximum-security prison.

In 2023 year Ilya Pogiblov died The court found that he created the "Blue Whale" channel. The group coaxed "potential victims" (including teenagers) to complete a series of tasks in preparation for suicide. The tasks involved inflicting bodily harm on themselves. However, no one was driven to commit suicide.

The court found Pogiblov guilty of organizing activities aimed at inciting suicide, inciting more than two individuals to commit suicide online, and involving a minor in crimes. The Novosibirsk resident fully admitted his guilt.

"Blue Whale" is a movement that emerged in 2016 that allegedly lured teenagers into an online game, using dangerous tasks to drive them to suicide. Blue Whale's curators allegedly created social media groups and targeted teenagers within them.

In 2019, one of the founders of the Blue Whale movement group was already convicted in Russia. Alexander GlazovHe was sentenced to six years in prison for inciting teenagers to commit suicide. Glazov instructed those wishing to commit suicide to climb onto rooftops and take photos there, run across railroad tracks in front of an oncoming train, and cut their hands with razor blades.

Glazov was released early after serving in the war in Ukraine. He continued working with teenagers, but with a new "deadly theme." For example, in 2024, he spoke to eighth-graders from the town of Kotelniki about service in the "SVO zone."