Ukraine sanctions Russians linked to Masha and the Bear cartoon
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on 20 August imposing sanctions on several Russian individuals and organisations involved in creating Masha and the Bear, a cartoon series which promotes Russian narratives.
Source: Office of the President of Ukraine; presidential decree
Quote: "Sanctions have been imposed on five Russian individuals and four organisations involved in the creation and distribution of the animated series Masha and the Bear, which promotes pro-Russian narratives disguised as children's content and poses a threat to Ukraine's national security."
Details: The sanctions target Animaccord, the studio behind the animated series, as well as its founder and CEO, the scriptwriter, director and producer, a co-creator of the series who pays taxes to the Russian budget, and the rights holder.
Background:
- In August 2025, the Masha and the Bear channel topped the ranking of the most popular children's YouTube channels in Ukraine.
- In October 2025, the National Police of Ukraine confirmed that the cartoon had links to Russia and called for sanctions.
- In 2017, a Ukrainian State Film Agency commission considered a request to ban the cartoon because of its Russian propaganda narratives.
- In one episode, Masha is seen wearing a hat associated with the NKVD, a Soviet security agency whose personnel were involved, among other things, in suppressing anti-Soviet liberation movements.
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