Zelensky bans the cartoon "Masha and the Bear" in Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelensky signed four decrees putting into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) on sanctions against enterprises of Russia's military-industrial complex, companies belonging to "Rusal," and the animated series "Masha and the Bear."

The restrictions were imposed against the "Animaccord" studio, which created the series, and five Russians, including the studio's founder and general director, as well as the scriptwriter, co-author/co-producer, and the owner of the rights to the cartoon.

The series "Masha and the Bear," as the NSDC stated, spreads pro-Russian narratives disguised as children's content, which poses a threat to Ukraine's national security.

Complaints about the cartoon "Masha and the Bear" have arisen in other countries as well. In July, a group of British politicians wrote an open letter to the country's culture minister, demanding that the series be removed from streaming services and explaining that it constitutes propaganda, and "not very subtle" propaganda at that.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called the animated series "part of the Kremlin's soft power, embedding pro-Kremlin, militaristic images into entertaining children's content, while normalizing Russian aggression and imperial ambitions."

Source: Meduza