Ukraine sanctions popular Russian cartoon ‘Masha and the Bear’

What the report says

Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the Russian animated series “Masha and the Bear,” in a move announced by Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on Thursday. The government said the action targets the show’s producers and distributors, including the studio Animaccord, and is intended to give Ukraine legal grounds to block the content and press international platforms to limit its monetization and circulation.

According to Al Jazeera, Kyiv alleges the cartoon promotes pro-Russian narratives and could undermine Ukrainian national security. The series, aimed at children, has been criticized in Ukraine and some allied countries as a form of Russian soft power. Ukrainian officials have also objected to streaming deals involving the show; in June, Ukraine protested Netflix’s move to acquire rights to new seasons.

Al Jazeera reported that “Masha and the Bear” has a large global audience, with more than 37 billion views on its YouTube channel and distribution in about 100 countries. In Ukraine, the show’s local YouTube channel has been widely watched, according to Ukrainska Pravda. The sanctions come amid broader efforts to reduce the presence of Russian cultural products in Ukraine during the ongoing war that began in 2022.

Russia rejected the accusations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the series has found international success by reflecting positive human qualities, according to the report.