Nebenzya uses UN Security Council stage to lament sanctions on Russian cartoon
Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya voiced formal complaints at the UN Security Council on Aug. 24 against Ukrainian sanctions against Russian animated series Masha and the Bear creators, accusing Kyiv of "Russophobia," The Moscow Times wrote.
On August 24, Russian Permanent Representative Vasily Nebenzya criticized Ukrainian sanctions targeting Russian animated series Masha and the Bear at a UN Security Council meeting. Nebenzya accused Kyiv of Russophobia and claimed Ukraine restricts dissenting thought, systematically persecutes anything tied to a shared historical past, and suppresses not just the Russian language but everything connected to their common past.
He characterized Kyiv's governance as caveman-like Russophobia and xenophobia, citing the absurdity of Ukraine's sanctions on the Russian animated series, which it claims promotes a Russian militaristic narrative.
Nebenzya also asserted that international partners financing Ukraine are contributing to the continuation of the war, echoing Moscow's typical accusations. On August 20, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on Russian animation studio Animaccord, responsible for Masha and the Bear, along with its founder, senior management, and entities involved in production and distribution.
The Ukrainian government argued these restrictions were due to the spread of pro-Russian narratives disguised as children's content and the funneling of revenues into the aggressor state's budget.
In July, over 50 UK Members of Parliament urged their government to intervene and stop the airing of Masha and the Bear, labeling it as Russian soft power and state propaganda that risks normalizing Soviet military symbolism among young audiences. Officials from Ukraine's Ministry of Culture confirmed in October 2025 that Masha and the Bear belongs to Russia's Animaccord studio.
The ministry noted Animaccord's Russian ties, despite using Cypriot offshore holding structures, its payment of corporate taxes in Russia, and strong operational, managerial, and intellectual property connections with Russia, labeling it as a contributor to state aggression.
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