In January 2024, Russian millionaire influencer Sergey Kosenko, known online as “Mr. Thank You,” sparked outrage and a subsequent legal battle after posting a video of himself tossing a two-month-old baby into a pile of snow. The video, titled “Leo’s first flight,” quickly went viral, amassing thousands of views worldwide. The slow-motion footage depicted Kosenko throwing the infant, clad only in a coat, into a deep snowdrift, where the child momentarily disappeared from view. The act was widely condemned as reckless and endangering the child’s well-being, prompting a wave of criticism directed at the influencer.
The backlash against Kosenko continued to escalate, eventually culminating in legal action by Russian authorities almost one year later. A warrant for Kosenko’s arrest was issued in absentia by the Basmanny district court of Moscow, along with an order to freeze his assets. Authorities reportedly froze 206 million rubles (approximately £1.6 million) across 43 of his bank accounts. The charges against him include attempted intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm to a minor and failure to fulfill parental duties. While an extradition order has not been issued, the court mandated a two-month detention upon Kosenko’s return to Russian territory.
Kosenko defended his actions, claiming the video featured a dummy and not his actual child. His lawyer, Sergei Zhorin, stated Kosenko is prepared to cooperate with law enforcement. Despite removing the controversial video following the initial public outcry, Kosenko later uploaded additional videos depicting himself and the child’s mother jumping into the snow, accompanied by a cautionary caption: “Careful! This is snow! Do not repeat! Very dangerous.” This incident is not the first instance of Kosenko attracting negative attention for his social media stunts. In 2021, he faced criticism for driving a car around Moscow with a woman taped to the roof.
The “Leo’s first flight” incident highlights the increasingly blurred lines between entertainment and recklessness on social media platforms, especially when involving minors. Kosenko’s actions, regardless of whether a dummy or a real baby was used, sparked a vital conversation about responsible content creation and the potential dangers of pursuing viral fame at any cost. The incident also demonstrates the evolving role of law enforcement in regulating online behavior and holding individuals accountable for actions perceived as harmful or endangering.
The case against Kosenko raises several complex legal and ethical questions. While the court’s decision to freeze his assets and issue an arrest warrant signals a serious response to his actions, the absence of an extradition order raises questions about the enforceability of the ruling if Kosenko chooses to remain outside Russia. Furthermore, the incident brings to light the challenges of regulating online content and the responsibilities of social media platforms in preventing the dissemination of potentially harmful material.
Kosenko, who commands a substantial following of 46.6 million on Instagram alone, divides his time between Los Angeles and Dubai. His self-proclaimed titles of actor, singer, influencer, and entrepreneur reflect the multifaceted nature of online personas and the pressure to constantly generate engaging content. However, this pursuit of online notoriety should not supersede the safety and well-being of others, especially vulnerable individuals such as children. The “Leo’s first flight” incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of reckless online behavior and the need for responsible content creation.
