The Russian animated series Masha and the Bear should be restricted across the civilised world, Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Centre for Countering Disinformation (CCD), said in comments to The Guardian.
"This product is a tool of Russian propaganda and soft power that directly promotes Russia's cultural narrative and is aimed at children. Propaganda targeting children is one of Russia's key instruments because it seeks to shape future generations to perceive Russia in a way that serves Moscow's interests," Kovalenko said.
He also welcomed the fact that British lawmakers share this position and have already formally called for the programme to be banned.
Earlier, it emerged that a cross-party group of more than 50 MPs had urged Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy to halt broadcasts of the animated series in the UK. The lawmakers argue that the show subtly normalises Soviet military symbolism among young children.
- The series was created by the Russian animation studio Animaccord. Although the company uses a complex international corporate structure, with offices in Cyprus and several EU countries, to operate internationally, it maintains direct links to Russia through its ownership, management and intellectual property rights.
- The Centre for Countering Disinformation has previously recommended imposing sanctions on Animaccord and its media products.