A Russian stand-up comedian was sent to a penal colony for almost six years Wednesday for a joke about a war veteran who lost his legs, the latest conviction in a sweeping crackdown on those who question the war in Ukraine.
Moscow-based Artemy Ostanin told a story on stage last year about bumping into a disabled ex-soldier on the metro, who he called a “legless skater.”
Pro-Kremlin figures and media outlets spread a clip of the joke online, calling for the comic to be punished for insulting Russian soldiers wounded in the war in Ukraine.
© 2026 CBS News
What’s the difference between Putin and Hitler?
Hitler knew when to kill himself
I have the bad feeling that you replaced the site’s logo. If so relax on it, i thought Red may have done it because of some Trump-critical posts. I just come here to chat with all of you and don’t really mind. 😁
Not me Mike. I have changed nothing.
Oops. Then Red did it. Very sad. But MAGA clownZ have a small mind i guess. Never mind. I actually wanted to leave and delete my profile, but WP told me i’m the owner of this site, LMFAO! So, to prevent the whole fucking site from going downe i stay. 🤣
I’m no fan of Russian scum but to joke about someone who lost his legs in a war is a little too much for me. Six years in a penal colony is equally stupid.