Russia has distanced itself from the individual at the centre of the viral explicit video scandal that has sparked public outrage in Ghana, saying it cannot confirm the suspect’s nationality despite ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

The clarification follows the summoning of Sergei Berdnikov, Russia’s Ambassador to Ghana, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

The meeting was convened to formally protest the circulation of sexually explicit images of Ghanaian women allegedly shared online without their consent.

Ghana’s government strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a blatant breach of national laws and a serious violation of the privacy and dignity of the affected women. Authorities also requested Russia’s cooperation in identifying the suspect and supporting efforts to bring him to justice.

In response, Ambassador Berdnikov acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and denounced the violation, noting that the case raises broader concerns about transnational cybercrime. He assured Ghanaian officials of Russia’s willingness to cooperate fully with ongoing investigations.

However, the Ambassador clarified that Russian authorities are currently unable to verify that the suspect is a Russian national. He further explained that the name widely circulated in media reports does not match any recognised Russian name, but rather appears to be a vulgar or inappropriate expression in the Russian language.

According to him, similar allegations linked to the same individual have reportedly surfaced in other countries, and these incidents are now under review by Russian cybercrime experts.

While there is no formal extradition treaty between Russia and Ghana, Ambassador Berdnikov pledged that the Russian Embassy in Accra would share all relevant information within its reach to assist Ghanaian authorities in tracking down the suspect and ensuring accountability.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Ghana’s determination to pursue justice through diplomatic engagement and international legal mechanisms, stressing that the government will use all available bilateral and multilateral channels to protect victims and uphold the rule of law.