An Israeli and Ukrainian citizen who studied at a Russian university has been barred from entering Russia after border officials examined her phone at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport.

The woman, identified under the pseudonym Noa Cohen, had been studying at a Russian university since 2021, according to ASTRA.

Border officials questioned her social media activity, including likes on posts by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, and content related to the Ukrainian military and LGBT issues.

Moreover, border officials also reportedly flagged music by artists designated as “foreign agents” in Russia.

Cohen was born in Ukraine before her family moved to Israel. She entered Russia on a student visa issued to her as an Israeli citizen.

In the summer of 2025, she flew to Moscow via Minsk. Upon arrival at Sheremetyevo Airport, officials confiscated her phone, and she reportedly waited about seven hours before being questioned by a border officer about her views on the war and Russian politics.

Border officials found messages containing derogatory language about Russians, likes on posts by Yulia Navalnaya, Zelenskyy, comedian Maxim Galkin and opposition musicians, as well as content featuring Ukrainian armed forces personnel.

Meanwhile, border officials also reportedly noted numerous positive reactions to posts concerning LGBT issues and Israel’s policy toward Palestine.

Following the inspection, Cohen was denied entry to Russia and sent back to Minsk on a flight. She later challenged the decision through a lawyer, but the court rejected her appeal.

According to the court materials, her actions were deemed a threat to Russia’s national security.