Varlamov

Varlamov's full name is Ilya Varlamov (Илья Варламов). He is a Russian journalist and architect who built his entire media identity around his surname, which has become one of the most recognized in Russian-language independent journalism online.

Varlamov is currently based in Cyprus, a relocation that reflects the increasingly hostile environment for independent journalists covering Russian politics, the war in Ukraine, and domestic dissent. His channel continues to produce direct commentary on mobilization, FSB surveillance, and Kremlin policy from outside Russian territory.

"Чё Происходит" — roughly meaning "What's Going On" — is Varlamov's flagship recurring news digest, which had surpassed episode 340 by mid-2026. Each installment covers breaking developments in Russian domestic politics, the Ukraine war, and international events, giving his audience a regular roundup of stories that are often suppressed or distorted inside Russia.

Yes — Varlamov's own Instagram biography describes him as both a journalist and an architect. He has channeled that professional background into urban planning advocacy, co-founding the Городские проекты (Urban Projects) foundation, which campaigned for pedestrian-friendly streets, cycling infrastructure, and evidence-based city design across Russian cities.

Городские проекты (Urban Projects) is one of two foundations Varlamov lists in his public biography, alongside the fund Внимание. It focused on promoting livable urban design in Russia — reducing car dominance in city centers, improving public transit, and pushing local governments toward international standards for public space.

Yes, Varlamov operates a dedicated channel called Varlamov Travel (@Varlamov.Travel on YouTube), distinct from his main news and commentary feed. His travel journalism has taken him to places including Afghanistan, Liberia, Myanmar, Vorkuta above the Arctic Circle, and Pattaya — documenting how people live in overlooked or extreme corners of the world.

The bulk of Varlamov's audience is based in Russia, where internet censorship has made independent news and foreign platforms increasingly hard to access. Sponsors like BlancVPN and Icegate VPN are a direct fit because his viewers have a genuine, pressing need for circumvention tools — making VPN advertising one of the most organically relevant sponsorship categories for his channel.

Easy Creators is a media consultancy co-founded by Ilya Varlamov and Maya Wolf, running under the brand vrlmv.com. It operates as a professional services layer separate from his editorial content, positioning itself as a resource for creators and organizations looking to build or grow Russian-language media projects.

According to his own YouTube channel description, Varlamov has reported from Afghanistan and Liberia — with his bio specifically referencing stories about "Liberian cannibals" — as well as from Vorkuta, one of Russia's northernmost cities. This pattern of traveling to difficult or extreme locations is a defining characteristic of his long-form journalism.

Varlamov's main YouTube channel has surpassed five million subscribers, placing it among the largest Russian-language journalism channels on the platform. Adding his Instagram and TikTok followings brings his total cross-platform audience well into the Mega tier for Russian-speaking creators.