Experts have named ways for Google to cut down on giant fines

Google Corporation will be able to reduce through the courts the gigantic fines that await it if it returns to Russia, experts told Izvestia.

As of mid-February 2025, the amount owed in just one lawsuit filed against Google by Russian TV channels has grown to 2.86 duodecillion rubles (a figure with 39 zeros) and continues to grow.

Today there are quite a few legal mechanisms that allow recalculating such a fine, said Mikhail Mushailov, managing partner of the law firm Mushailov, Uzdensky, Rybakov and Partners. Court practice provides for the possibility of reducing fines if they are disproportionate to the actual damage and the consequences for the defendant are more serious than for the plaintiffs, he explained.

According to the lawyer, in order to recalculate the fines, the American corporation must itself apply to the court with an application in view of newly discovered circumstances or force majeure.

Valeria Rytvina, general director of the Classica Truth legal agency, believes that foreign platforms are interested in the Russian audience, but they do not take active steps without political motivation.

"No one kicked them out of Russia, they are the ones who are mired in violations of our legislation and have accrued debts to Russian companies and citizens. It is always possible to come to an agreement with everyone. I think the creditors will agree to reduce penalties from unrealistic to adequate, but actually paid under the settlement agreement," Rytvina said.

In her opinion, the settlement is possible at the conclusion of a peace agreement between the parties - it is easier to agree to reduce penalties and restore access to accounts than to expect payment of unrealistic penalties.

Read more in Izvestia's exclusive article:

Countdown: Will Google be able to reduce giant fines in Russia