Ukraine has imposed sanctions on Animaccord Animation Studio, the producer of the globally popular Masha and the Bear cartoon series, along with the company’s executives and several of the series’ creators.
The decision took effect through a decree signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The sanctions target Animaccord’s founder and chief executive, as well as the series’ director, screenwriter and co-producer.
Kyiv’s propaganda allegations
Ukrainian officials alleged that the series, which has been translated into dozens of languages, generates revenue for the Russian state and spreads Kremlin propaganda. Vladyslav Vlasyuk, Zelenskyy’s adviser on sanctions policy, said Russian propaganda targeting children and distributed on major international platforms also needed to be countered.
The sanctions decision followed allegations that some episodes of the series contained pro-Russian propaganda. A group of British lawmakers also sent an open letter to UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy at the beginning of the summer, asking streaming platforms to remove the series.
Animaccord rejects the allegations
Melanie Bonvicino, a representative of Animaccord Studios, described the allegations as false and defamatory. Bonvicino stressed that the company operates independently and does not receive funding from the Russian government.
Kremlin reacts to the sanctions decision
The Russian administration condemned the sanctions decision. The Kremlin argued that targeting a children’s cartoon series once again revealed the ugliness of the Ukrainian administration’s stance.
Inspired by a traditional Russian folk tale, Masha and the Bear is among the most-watched productions on YouTube.
