The video-makers demanded 100,000 subscribers in nine days or the kitten would die. Picture: YouTube

The shocking video starts with one of the boys explaining: 'Project Game' is a show where the life of kitten Vasya will depend on the users' reaction. 'The main condition of the game is that people need to 'like' the videos that will be uploaded on this channel.'

Captions then explain that 'if there are more 'likes' than 'dislikes' the torture of the cat will turn into a sweet game. If there are more 'dislikes' - the torture will become more cruel.'

Footage - believed to be made by teenagers in Khabarovsk showed the kitten's nose forced into a bowl of milk.

They promised more challenges in upcoming videos showing Vasya. Pictures: YouTube

The young cat's paws were wrapped with tape and it was hung upside down from the ceiling.

The video-makers demanded 100,000 subscribers in nine days or the kitten would die. They threaten to 'make Vasya spend all his nine lives'.

The authors claimed that putting 'likes' on the video was the first mission for viewers to rescue the kitten. They promised more challenges in upcoming videos showing Vasya.

When The Siberian Times found the video it had less than 3,500 subscribers, with 200 'likes' and 500 'dislikes'. But there were a barrage of hostile comments, mostly death threats to the video-makers or demands for the release of the kitten.

The young cat's paws were wrapped with tape and it was hung upside down from the ceiling. Picture: 2x2.su

The anonymous authors replied: 'Do you feel sorry for this kitten? But you are ready to cut our throats? How is that? It's some improper society. 18 likes, 50 dislikes? Skinners. Surely you want us to kill Vasya.'

Amid the outcry, the video was deleted from its Project Game channel, as police began a probe. Another video was put up showing the kitten alive.The caption read: 'The video staged. The kitten is domestic. Go away.'

Critics believe the move was taken because of concern over a police probe.

'We are trying to find out the whereabouts of the author of this video,' said a police source. 'There is no reliable information that he lives in Khabarovsk, yet.

'If we find out that he is a resident of Khabarovsk, it will be easy to find him. If the person lives outside of the Khabarovsk region we will take other measures.'