Imagine a fine that exceeds the entire wealth of Earth by astronomical margins. Russia recently made headlines by imposing a staggering $2.5 decillion fine on Google – a number so large it’s hard to comprehend. This figure, which translates to 2 undecillion rubles, came after Google refused to reinstate YouTube channels for Russian state-affiliated media outlets, like Tsargrad and RIA FAN. These accounts were initially suspended due to sanctions imposed by Western governments following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which created an intense standoff between the tech giant and the Russian government.

How We Got Here: A Digital Tug-of-War

The origins of this dispute trace back to 2020, when Google first suspended several Russian state-backed media channels as part of its compliance with international sanctions. Since then, the fine has continued to multiply in an escalating cycle of symbolic enforcement. Russia’s daily and weekly penalties added up to a figure so immense that it almost reads like fiction. But why impose such an unpayable fine?