Zelenskiy orders sanction on 'Masha and the Bear' over Russian propaganda.

Ukraine continues to expand the sanctions it applies against Russia's military activities and propaganda efforts. The latest sanctions target millions of children worldwide who watch"Masha and the Bear"was included as the animation series

Under the new sanctions decrees signed by Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy on August 20, restrictions were imposed on individuals and organizations involved in the production and distribution of the cartoon.

In a statement issued by the Office of the Ukrainian President,"Masha and the Bear"'sIt was alleged that it spread pro‑Russian narratives under the guise of a production aimed at children.

The producer and the animation studio are also on the sanctions list.

Under the new sanctions decision, it was decided to impose sanctions on five Russian citizens among the series' writers, directors and producers, and on four institutions.

The animation studio Animaccord, which plays a major role in the series' production, and the company's founder and CEO were also added to the sanctions list.

According to the decision, Animaccord will not be allowed to publish media content in Ukraine. In addition, the release of the series' Ukrainian, Russian and English versions on YouTube and other internet platforms has been blocked.

"We Must Respond to Child‑Targeted Propaganda"

Ukraine's sanctions decisions are limited only to"Mask and the Big Bear"are not limited. Zelenskyy's other decrees also placed persons and companies linked to the Russian defense industry under sanctions.

In one of the decrees, sanctions were imposed not only on 28 Russian citizens and 36 Russian companies, but also on a Chinese company.

Ukraine's Sanctions Commissioner Vladyslav Vlasiuk, in his statement following the decisions, particularly drew attention to content related to children.

Vlasiuk, by indicating that measures should be taken against Russian propaganda spreading through major international platforms,"We must specifically respond to Russian propaganda that targets children and is spread through major international platforms"used the expressions.

The series' international audience was also taken into account.

The Ukrainian administration,"Maşa ile Koca Ayı"'salso showed that reaching a broad international audience was one of the factors considered in the sanctions decision.

Thus a popular animated series aimed at children became one of the targets of the sanctions applied within the scope of the war between Russia and Ukraine. The Ukrainian government argues that the decision is part of the fight not only against Russia's military but also its cultural and propaganda activities.