Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Ukraine Sanctions Russian Hit Cartoon Over Alleged Propaganda
Ukraine has placed sanctions on the people and company behind a popular Russian cartoon called “Masha and the Bear.”
The cartoon is about a playful girl and a bear who used to work in a circus.
Ukrainian officials say the show makes Russia look good and can act like propaganda.
They want the sanctions to help block the show in Ukraine.
They also want online platforms to limit its advertising and distribution.
Russia disagrees and says the cartoon teaches good human qualities.
The show is popular around the world and has been watched billions of times on YouTube.
Ukraine had already objected to Netflix acquiring rights to new episodes.
Ukraine sanctioned the producers and distributors of the Russian animated series “Masha and the Bear.”
Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna said the sanctions create grounds to block the cartoon and restrict its monetization and distribution.
The sanctions target Animaccord, its founder, and the series’ scriptwriter and director under a decree signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Kremlin rejected Ukraine’s accusations, saying the cartoon promotes positive human qualities and has conquered the world.
The series has been viewed tens of billions of times on YouTube, broadcast in about 100 countries, and has more than 18 million subscribers on its Ukrainian channel.
- Who
- Ukraine, including Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna and President Volodymyr Zelensky, sanctioned Animaccord and people involved with “Masha and the Bear”; the Kremlin opposed the move.
- What
- Ukraine imposed sanctions intended to provide legal grounds to block the cartoon and restrict its monetization and distribution.
- When
- The sanctions were announced on Friday; the article also says Ukraine protested Netflix’s acquisition of new-season rights in June.
- Where
- The action concerns distribution in Ukraine and international online platforms.
- Why
- Ukrainian officials describe the cartoon as a Russian propaganda and soft-power tool, while Russian officials reject that characterization.
Ukraine’s position
Russia’s position
Whether the cartoon is propaganda
Ukraine’s position
Ukraine says “Masha and the Bear” paints Russia in a positive light and serves as a Russian propaganda or soft-power tool.
Russia’s position
The Kremlin rejects the accusation and says the cartoon promotes the finest human qualities.
Restrictions on distribution
Ukraine’s position
Ukraine says the sanctions create legal grounds to block the content and seek restrictions on its monetization and distribution through international platforms.
Russia’s position
Dmitry Peskov criticized Ukraine for targeting the cartoon, calling the action another illustration of the alleged ugliness of the Ukrainian authorities.
Popularity in Ukraine
Ukraine’s position
Ukraine has reduced the presence of Russian cultural products through boycotts and official restrictions, though the cartoon’s Ukrainian YouTube channel remains highly popular.
Russia’s position
The series’ global reach and popularity, including more than 18 million subscribers on its Ukrainian channel, are presented as evidence of its broad audience.
- Sanctioned entities
- Animaccord, its founder, the series’ scriptwriter, and its director
- Legal basis
- A decree issued by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
- Ukrainian position
- The cartoon is alleged to promote Russian propaganda and has no place on children’s screens
- Russian position
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the series promotes the finest human qualities
- Global reach
- The cartoon has been broadcast in about 100 countries
- YouTube views
- The series has been viewed tens of billions of times on YouTube
- Ukrainian channel
- The Ukrainian YouTube channel has more than 18 million subscribers and reportedly ranked first among children’s channels in August 2025