We’re unable to confirm nationality of man in sexually explicit images with Ghanaian women – Russia

• Posted on February 18, 2026February 18, 2026
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Russian authorities say they’re unable to confirm the nationality of the individual at the centre of the publication of sexually explicit images of some Ghanaian women without their consent.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry says the Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Sergei Berdnikov, was summoned on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, on the instruction of the Foreign Affairs Minister over the conduct of a “supposed Russian national.”

According to the Ministry, the summons was to formally express the “strong displeasure” of the Government of Ghana at what it described as the “atrocious conduct” of the individual, which it said “clearly violates Ghanaian law.”

The Ministry said Ghana also used the meeting to seek Russia’s cooperation in pursuing justice for the victims, amid concerns over privacy violations and the broader cybercrime implications of the case.

It said Ambassador Berdnikov “acknowledged the violation of the privacy and dignity of the victims, and the larger cybercrime dimensions,” while expressing “the willingness of the Russian Federation to cooperate with the Republic of Ghana on the matter in issue.”

However, the Russian Ambassador reportedly told Ghanaian authorities he could not confirm that the individual is Russian.

“The Russian Ambassador, however, indicated that he is unable to confirm the Russian nationality of the individual at the centre of the intimate viral videos,” the statement said.

The Ministry further disclosed that the purported name circulating in the media is not a known Russian name.

It said the Ambassador explained that the name rather “represents an inappropriate or vulgar expression in the Russian language.”

The Ministry also revealed that the Ambassador raised concerns that the individual may have been involved in similar conduct in other countries.

According to the statement, the Ambassador “highlighted similar activities of the said individual in other countries which had come to the attention of Russian authorities and were being investigated by Russian experts.”

Despite the uncertainty over the suspect’s nationality, the Ministry said the Russian Embassy has pledged to support Ghana’s efforts to identify, apprehend, and prosecute the individual.

It said Ambassador Berdnikov pledged that the Embassy in Ghana is willing to share information “to facilitate Ghana’s ongoing efforts aimed at apprehending the individual and bringing him to justice.”

The statement added that the cooperation is being pursued within the context of Ghana-Russia bilateral relations, “despite the absence of a legally binding extradition treaty.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured the public that the government will use all available diplomatic and international tools to secure justice for the victims.

It said it remains committed to leveraging the “cordial bilateral relations between Ghana and Russia,” and will “explore all international tools and remedies to ensure that justice is secured.”