The protocol was issued by the regional state technical supervision agency (Gostekhnadzor) after a complaint from Yekaterina Gutsalenko, head of the governor's office for mass communications. She saw a violation of a regional operational headquarters decision, in effect since March, that bans the dissemination of information about drone attacks.
The article in question, headlined “A fire broke out in a multi-story building in Vladimir overnight due to a drone strike,” summarized an urgent message from Governor Alexander Avdeyev stating that there were no casualties, residents had been evacuated, and the situation was under control.
Zebra TV noted that Gutsalenko had previously officially clarified to the outlet that quoting the governor's messages did not violate the ban. The editorial team also said the ban itself is worded “ambiguously” and “in a vague manner,” which could allow authorities to fine not only media outlets but also ordinary residents of the region. According to the outlet, similar complaints have simultaneously been lodged against other independent media and citizens.
The outlet faces a fine of up to 200,000 rubles. The editorial team believes the situation “bears signs of a campaign that is not backed by the real scale of the problem.”