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Russia's communications watchdog said earlier this month that it
was taking steps to punish Google for "spreading fakes" on
YouTube, and has previously warned the U.S. company that it
would be fined if it failed to comply, part of a wider battle
with foreign tech firms and media to control information flows.
Google was found guilty of committing administrative violations
and fined 4 million roubles and 7 million roubles in two cases,
Moscow's Tagansky District Court said on Thursday.
Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The TASS news agency said the fines pertained to what Moscow
considers the distribution of inaccurate data about Russian
troops losses and civilian casualties in Ukraine, as well as the
distribution of video clips on YouTube produced by Ukrainian
far-right groups such as the nationalist Azov battalion.
Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24
in what it called a special operation to degrade its southern
neighbour's military capabilities and root out people it called
dangerous nationalists.
Ukrainian forces have mounted stiff resistance and the West has
imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow in an effort to force it to
withdraw its forces.
Russia has blocked some foreign social media firms, including
Meta Platforms Inc's Facebook and Instagram, with domestic firms
looking to pick up the pieces. YouTube, though under increasing
pressure from the Russian government, remains available.
The RIA news agency on Thursday reported that another case had
been drawn up against Google for what it said was the
distribution of videos on YouTube that called for terror attacks
in Russia.
($1 = 79.8470 roubles)
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
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