Google’s Russian Subsidiary Faces Astronomical Debt of Over 91.5 Quintillion Rubles to Local TV Channels

Google LLC, the Russian subsidiary of the global tech giant, has come under scrutiny due to a staggering debt of more than 91.5 quintillion rubles owed to domestic television channels. This unprecedented liability was highlighted by bankruptcy trustee Valery Talyarovsky in an interview with RIA Novosti, who detailed that the company’s bankruptcy case includes claims totaling exactly 91 quintillion 511 quadrillion 687 trillion 138 billion 260 million 100 thousand rubles. The debt, which involves 16 creditors, has been recognized by the court, with 18 claims confirmed as legitimate.

This financial predicament stems from Google’s failure to comply with Russian court rulings mandating the restoration of access to blocked YouTube accounts belonging to various TV channels. The conflict traces back to 2020, when YouTube began restricting access to certain channels, citing compliance with sanctions and trade regulations. In retaliation, affected media outlets, including Tsargrad, pursued legal action to demand the reinstatement of their accounts and compensation for penalties incurred due to these restrictions.

The Moscow Arbitration Court deemed the channels’ demands valid and instituted fines that accrue daily for non-compliance, leading to the accumulation of an astronomical sum that far exceeds typical economic scales. According to data from RBC as of February 2025, Google’s debt to these TV channels had already reached 2.8 duodecillion rubles (equivalent to a figure with 39 zeros), with estimates suggesting it surpassed 1.8 duodecillion rubles earlier in January. Talyarovsky’s recent remarks provide a clearer picture of the current obligations facing Google LLC amid its bankruptcy proceedings.

Despite the mounting financial pressure, Google has remained unresponsive to Russian demands, continuing to disregard the court’s rulings. This ongoing conflict underscores the complex interplay between global tech companies and local regulatory environments, raising significant questions about compliance, governance, and the potential repercussions of such substantial liabilities in the digital age.