Ukraine Sanctions ‘Masha and the Bear’ Creators Over Alleged Kremlin Propaganda

Aug. 21, 2026 A still image from the children's cartoon "Masha and the Bear." Video grab / YouTube Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the creators of the popular animated series “Masha and the Bear” for allegedly spreading “pro-Russia narratives” and posing a threat to national security, according to a decree signed Thursday by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The measures target Animaccord Animation Studio — the production company behind the series — alongside its founder and chief executive. So, too, were the director, screenwriter and co-producer of “Masha and the Bear” sanctioned. Ukrainian officials accused “Masha and the Bear,” which has been translated into dozens of languages and is watched worldwide, of generating revenue for the Russian state and disseminating Kremlin propaganda. “We must respond separately to Russian propaganda, especially when it is aimed at children and is distributed through large international platforms,” said Vladyslav Vlasyuk, sanctions policy adviser to Zelensky. Earlier this summer, a group of British lawmakers sent an open letter to U.K. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy urging streaming platforms to pull “Masha and the Bear.” The letter claimed certain episodes in the series contain Russian propaganda. Animaccord Studios representative Melanie Bonvicino called the claims “false and defamatory,” emphasizing that the production studio operates independently and receives no funding from the Russian government. The Kremlin condemned the Ukrainian sanctions on Friday, saying that targeting a children’s cartoon “shows once again the ugliness of the Kyiv regime.” “Masha and the Bear” is loosely based on a traditional Russian folktale and is one of the most popular shows of all time on YouTube. Read more about: Cartoons , Ukraine , Sanctions Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Kremlin Says Russia Will Ride Out Western Sanctions President Vladimir Putin was set to meet with officials to discuss the economic turmoil of the five-day-old war. Biden Threatens Dollar Ban on Russian Banks The U.S. said it could block Russian financial institutions from trading in dollars if Moscow invades Ukraine. Western Sanctions Will Remain Until Ukraine's Sovereignty Restored – Merkel The sanctions related to Crimea can only be lifted if Crimea returns to Ukraine, she said. New Ukraine President Hopes EU Sanctions on Russia Remain Volodymyr Zelenskiy wants sanctions to remain until Ukrainian territories are returned.