Gorlov’s conviction was based on his appearances on TikTok, where he has 25,000 followers. He also has accounts on Instagram and VKontakte, one of Russia’s largest social media platforms, where he primarily posts about the kickboxing club Ratibor. Additionally, he has a Telegram account, but joining requires his approval and facial recognition verification to confirm one’s identity.
Therefore, Propastop reviewed Gorlov’s Facebook posts from recent years, which reveal more about him personally and provide a vivid overview of his activities and values.
REGULAR IN COURT. Although Gorlov mostly discusses personal topics on Facebook, he proudly announced last August that he had won a court case against the police. His longtime friend, lawyer Andrei Vesterinen, managed to overturn an 80-euro fine that the police had issued to Gorlov for using the Russian flag and the St. George ribbon in his Facebook profile picture. Judge Merle Parts annulled the fine due to procedural errors by the police.
In response, the victorious Gorlov wrote on Facebook:
“I am Konstantin, a Russian citizen born and raised in Estonia. I have two homelands—Russia and Estonia. My dream is peace between these countries, and I respect the cultures and traditions of both. I do not support war, but I believe in my right to use the flag of the country whose citizen I am.”
FLASHY CARS. A striking car is an inseparable part of the image of a powerful man. A few years ago, Gorlov shared a photo series of him and his son test-driving a BMW X7 worth over 100,000 euros. “We tested the new X7 with my son, the first and so far the only one in Estonia. /…/ We’re waiting for the electric version of the 7 Series,” Gorlov reported.
Last year, Gorlov put his eggplant-colored convertible up for sale, promoting its good condition by claiming that one could drive it straight to occupied Crimea or Abkhazia—a region officially part of Georgia but effectively under Russian control.
CRIMEA AND “UKRONAZIS.” The previous reference was no coincidence—during the summer of 2022, Gorlov and his family visited several occupied Ukrainian cities in Crimea. The timing of this road trip is particularly significant, as it took place just six months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On October 8, Gorlov posted another video of crossing the Kerch Bridge and wrote:
“This morning, an explosion rocked the Crimean Bridge. Ukrainian social media is celebrating the supposed success of the AFU (Ukrainian Armed Forces), while Russian official channels report a car explosion on the bridge. But if you think about it—who did this, why, who benefits from it, and what will the response be?”
This post sparked over 100 comments, with Gorlov leading the discussion. The very first commenter responded sarcastically to his question: “It’s a gift for Vovka (Vladimir Putin) on his 70th birthday.”
In the debate, Gorlov claimed that there are many Nazis in Ukraine. “Go to Donbas after the war and talk to people—they’ll explain to you how many Nazis there are,” he advised one of the participants.
When pro-Ukraine commenters asked where he got his information, the Tallinn resident replied:
“Ordinary Ukrainians—residents of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regions—my good acquaintances and friends. Plus, I am capable of analyzing the words and actions of some Ukrainian representatives myself. I have personally encountered Nazis online.”
The man, who posed against the backdrop of various Crimean landmarks, was satisfied with his vacation. “An exhilarating jeep ride in the Crimean mountains was a success—I got a sea of good emotions and enjoyed completely fresh air,” Gorlov wrote alongside a photo of himself posing on the hood of a jeep.
KICKBOXER AND ATHLETE. According to Gorlov’s social media channels (Instagram, TikTok), he serves as the coach and director of the amateur kickboxing club Ratibor. He has told Delfi that he trains children without receiving any payment for it.
The Ratibor club operates at Kaera 21, home to Tallinn’s Minority House Lüüra, which was funded for years by the Tallinn city government under the leadership of the Centre Party. In an interview with Delfi last year, Gorlov claimed that he has a good relationship with former mayor Mikhail Kõlvart and, as a result, the sports club does not have to pay rent to the city for the premises.
Kickboxing enthusiasts are encouraged to contact Ratibor at [email protected].
“I have trained boys and girls from the age of 13, and I have also taken on younger children. I work voluntarily, without charging children or their parents. This is not a job, but a hobby—my whole family is involved in sports,” Gorlov explained his role at Ratibor in an interview with Delfi.
Gorlov has exaggerated his tough-guy image with the claim that he lived in Russia in 2017 and served in the Rosgvardiya. In reality, he worked as a security guard in Russia for a short time during that period. He also states on his Facebook page that he studied at the prestigious Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School in Russia—a claim that also appears to be a bluff, though journalists have yet to obtain documentary proof to confirm or debunk it.
Gorlov takes pride in showcasing his enviable athletic physique on social media, making it a significant aspect of his robust image.
He has attempted to leverage his intimidating appearance to influence the press. Delfi’s Russian-language journalist, Olga Minnik, who has extensively covered Gorlov’s activities, reported that on February 17, Gorlov awaited her in the parking lot behind the Delfi editorial office after her workday. “He wanted me to see him—to understand that I would be in trouble. However, he didn’t dare approach me; I wouldn’t have expected courage from him anyway. When a police patrol arrived at the scene, Gorlov and another man, who had come in a separate car, fled,” Minnik told Postimees.
SKINHEAD OR JOKER? The caption was likely intended as a joke for a 2023 photo depicting four bald, athletic men in Tartu’s Town Hall Square. Nevertheless, the image aligns with Gorlov’s persona, as the proud, bearded man has meticulously shaved his head over the years.
DEVOTED FAMILY MAN. Gorlov occasionally showcases his elder son and his three-year-old daughter on social media.
“I’m not much of a singer, but this tune helps lull my little daughter to sleep,” Gorlov wrote alongside a video snippet posted on social media.
Four years ago, Gorlov updated his Facebook profile picture to feature himself with his wife—a rare occurrence, as he typically only tags her in occasional travel photos.
SCOOTER FAN. In November 2022, the legendary German band Scooter, led by frontman H.P. Baxxter, visited the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) to present their documentary “FCK 2020. Two and a Half Years with Scooter”. Seizing this opportunity, Gorlov attended the screening and was rewarded with a photo alongside his childhood idol.
RUSSO-SLAVIC NOSTALGIA. A visit to St. Petersburg evoked feelings of nostalgia in Gorlov. Among other activities, he attended a match of Zenit, one of Russia’s top football clubs, at Gazprom Arena. However, according to other social media posts, Gorlov is actually a fan of Moscow’s Spartak.
In this TikTok video, the ancient Slavic identity is described in vague terms. Andrei Vesterinen, a decades-long friend of Gorlov, has characterized him in Delfi as following: “He supports family values, enjoys history, and the traditions of Rus‘ (ancient Slavs—ed.).”
In summary, over the years, Gorlov has crafted an image on Facebook of a menacingly strong man with a strong Russian identity, who, in typical macho fashion, values expensive, flashy cars. At the same time, he softens his image by showcasing his children, presenting himself as a caring father.
The screenshots used in the post are all from Konstantin Gorlov’s Facebook account.
