Viral Video: Fitness Influencer Vadym Oleynik Rides Nesting Sea Turtle, Sparks Outrage In Oman
A Ukrainian fitness influencer has faced widespread criticism after a video appeared to show him riding a nesting sea turtle at a protected beach in Oman while also holding a turtle hatchling. The incident involving 32-year-old Vadym Oleynik reportedly took place at Ras Al Jinz on September 28, a well-known sea turtle nesting site.
A Ukrainian fitness influencer has faced widespread criticism after a video appeared to show him riding a nesting sea turtle at a protected beach in Oman while also holding a turtle hatchling. The incident involving 32-year-old Vadym Oleynik reportedly took place at Ras Al Jinz on September 28, a well-known sea turtle nesting site. According to reports, footage showed Oleynik approaching an adult turtle as it moved along the beach. He then sat on its shell while the turtle continued moving. The video also appeared to show him holding a newly hatched turtle in his hands.
Oleynik's partner, Ukrainian cosmetologist Olena Kravchenko, was also reportedly filmed sitting on the same turtle. Images and videos of the incident were later circulated widely online after being highlighted by Italian conservation project Biologicamente. Olive Ridley Turtles in Odisha: Endangered Sea Turtles Return To Nest in Rushikulya Beach (Watch Video).
Oman Authorities Take Legal Action
Oman's Environment Authority said the circulating footage showed a tourist engaging in acts that disturbed sea turtles and described the conduct as a violation of wildlife-protection laws and regulations. The authority said it had taken the necessary legal action against the individual involved. Some media reports have claimed that Oleynik and Kravchenko were detained by police. However, those reports have not been independently confirmed by the authorities, so the detention claim remains unverified.
The incident has also drawn criticism from conservationists, who have stressed that nesting sea turtles and hatchlings should not be touched or used as props for photographs or social-media content. Biologicamente condemned the reported behavior and said it had alerted authorities. Turtle Nesting in Odisha Begins: 300,000 Olive Ridley Turtles Arrive to Lay Eggs (Watch Video).
Fitness Influencer Vadym Oleynik Filmed Riding Nesting Turtle
🚨 Un influencer ucraniano y su pareja desatan crÃticas tras difundirse imágenes en las que aparecen sentados sobre una tortuga marina mientras el animal ponÃa huevos en una playa de Omán.
Vadym Oleynik y Olena Kravchenko se turnaron para posar sobre el caparazón en la zona… pic.twitter.com/MJnYfw4ipv
— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) September 29, 2026
Fitness Influencer Apologises
Oleynik later issued an apology, addressing Oman's Environment Authority and the organisation involved in protecting green sea turtles. He said he had not seen the rules, described his actions as a mistake and said he did not intend to harm the turtle. Oleynik, who has more than 200,000 Instagram followers and works as a fitness coach, had reportedly shared the footage online before it was deleted. The video continued to circulate through other social-media accounts, bringing further attention to the incident.
Ras Al Jinz and the surrounding Ras Al Hadd area are important nesting locations for sea turtles in Oman. The latest incident has renewed attention on the restrictions surrounding interactions with protected wildlife at such sites.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 08:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
