Ukraine Sanctions Masha and the Bear Producers, Calls Cartoon Russian Propaganda | Russia Denies

Ukraine Sanctions Masha and the Bear Producers, Calls Cartoon Russian Propaganda | Russia Denies

In other news,Ukraine is taking a stand against… “Masha and the Bear”?

Yes, you read that correctly. Kyiv has come down on the Russian producers and distributors of the widely popular animated series – and for good reason. In their view, the cartoon is, quite frankly, Russian propaganda that shouldn’t be seen on a child’s screen.

Here’s the scoop: Ukraine’s Minister of Culture, Tetyana Berezhna, made it official Friday, proclaiming the sanctions would provide a legal framework for blocking the cartoon and pursing restrictions on online platforms where it can be viewed and monetized.

Berezhna took to X, where she wrote, “Russian propaganda has no place on children’s screens.”

This recent sanction decree was approved by President Volodymyr Zelensky, and targets Animaccord, the animation studio behind Masha, their founder, and key creatives such as the writer and director.

“Masha and the Bear” is, undeniably, Russia’s most exported TV program. It’s shown in nearly all corners of the globe and has a staggering ten-billion-plus views on YouTube.

While Russia argues the cartoon teaches positive moral values and has global appeal, countries like the United Kingdom and Estonia, alongside Ukraine itself, are claiming that Masha and her ursine companion are serving to portray the Russian Federation in a favorable light and act as a tool of the country’s soft power.

Interestingly, Netflix recently faced scrutiny for their acquisition of new “Masha and the Bear” seasons – an issue that parallels these recent sanction decisions.

With Russia’s brutal and full-scale invasion ongoing since 2022, there’s been a noticeable boycott on Russian cultural material in Ukraine.