diff --git a/youtube_dl/extractor/vk.py b/youtube_dl/extractor/vk.py
index 718c4e774..08e838060 100644
--- a/youtube_dl/extractor/vk.py
+++ b/youtube_dl/extractor/vk.py
@@ -322,38 +322,38 @@ class VKIE(VKBaseIE):
         ERROR_COPYRIGHT = 'Video %s has been removed from public access due to rightholder complaint.'
 
         ERRORS = {
-            r'>Видеозапись .*? была изъята из публичного доступа в связи с обращением правообладателя.<':
+            r'Видеозапись .*? была изъята из публичного доступа в связи с обращением правообладателя.<':
             ERROR_COPYRIGHT,
 
-            r'>The video .*? was removed from public access by request of the copyright holder.<':
+            r'The video .*? was removed from public access by request of the copyright holder.<':
             ERROR_COPYRIGHT,
 
-            r'<!>Please log in or <':
+            r'Please log in or <':
             'Video %s is only available for registered users, '
             'use --username and --password options to provide account credentials.',
 
-            r'<!>Unknown error':
+            r'Unknown error':
             'Video %s does not exist.',
 
             r'<!>Видео временно недоступно':
             'Video %s is temporarily unavailable.',
 
-            r'<!>Access denied':
+            r'Access denied':
             'Access denied to video %s.',
 
-            r'<!>Видеозапись недоступна, так как её автор был заблокирован.':
+            r'Видеозапись недоступна, так как её автор был заблокирован.':
             'Video %s is no longer available, because its author has been blocked.',
 
-            r'<!>This video is no longer available, because its author has been blocked.':
+            r'This video is no longer available, because its author has been blocked.':
             'Video %s is no longer available, because its author has been blocked.',
 
-            r'<!>This video is no longer available, because it has been deleted.':
+            r'This video is no longer available, because it has been deleted.':
             'Video %s is no longer available, because it has been deleted.',
 
-            r'<!>The video .+? is not available in your region.':
+            r'The video .+? is not available in your region.':
             'Video %s is not available in your region.',
 
-            r'<!>The video .+? is unavailable':
+            r'The video .+? is unavailable':
                 'Video %s is not available.',
 
             r'You need to be a member of this group to view':