Ukraine sanctions creators of “Masha and the Bear” for alleged propaganda.

Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the creators and distributors of the globally popular Russian children's cartoon "Masha and the Bear," accusing the series of spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda and posing a threat to national security. The decree, signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday, August 20, 2026, targets the Animaccord Animation Studio and several key individuals involved in the show's production.

The sanctions, announced by Ukrainian officials on Friday, August 21, 2026, create legal grounds to block the content within Ukraine and engage international platforms to restrict its monetization and distribution. The measures include asset freezes and restrictions on commercial activity and the use of copyrighted material. According to a statement from Zelenskyy's office, the program spreads pro-Russian narratives disguised as children's content, which constitutes a threat to Ukraine's national security.

The sanctions package targets five Russian citizens and four organizations, including Animaccord Studio, its founder and chief executive, and the cartoon's director, screenwriter, and co-producer. Vladyslav Vlasyuk, a sanctions policy adviser to Zelenskyy, stated...