Sanctions Evasion Scheme Uncovered: New Video Agency Viory Tied to Russian-Owned Ruptly.

Viory and Ruptly: A Web of Connections

According to Espreso.tv: An investigation has revealed that Viory, an international video agency launched in 2023, is leveraging the infrastructure and personnel of Berlin-based Ruptly—a company sanctioned by the European Union since December 2022. These findings cast serious doubt on the legitimacy and independence of this new media venture. For context, Ruptly is owned by the RT media conglomerate, which has faced international restrictions over its content and operations.

Ruptly, under RT's control, was placed under sanctions due to activities that alarmed the global community. In 2023, Viory was unveiled at a media forum in Abu Dhabi and has since signed over 30 agreements with partners across 22 countries. Despite its fresh branding, Viory appears deeply entangled with Ruptly, threatening its credibility from the outset.

Traffic Data and Journalist Training Programs

In April 2026, a staggering 96.71% of referral traffic to Viory.video originated from passport.yandex.ru. The platform’s largest traffic sources were:

• Indonesia (21%)
• Russia (14%)
• Turkey (13%)

These figures point to significant activity in regions where Ruptly already had a strong foothold.

Additionally, Viory is conducting journalist training sessions across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East—a move that may indicate efforts to expand its global influence. However, a Bellingcat investigation found that Viory’s website used an SSL certificate registered to Ruptly, further underscoring their interdependence.

Both websites rely on Yandex.Metrika as their primary analytics tool, reinforcing the overlap in their operational infrastructure. These newly uncovered details raise pressing questions about the transparency and autonomy of Viory, a media agency that, despite its recent launch, maintains significant ties to an organization already under sanctions.

The discovered links between Viory and Ruptly highlight the need for rigorous scrutiny of new media initiatives that may reach international audiences. - Source: Bellingcat

In today’s global information landscape, where transparency and independence are paramount, such revelations could severely undermine trust in Viory and its content. They also challenge whether emerging media agencies, born amid sanctions and restrictions, can truly uphold ethical journalistic standards.