UK MPs Call for Ban on Russian Cartoon 'Masha and the Bear' Over Propaganda Concerns
A cross-party group of UK MPs has written to the government urging action to stop broadcasting the Russian animated series 'Masha and the Bear', alleging it serves as Russian 'soft power' propaganda targeting children.
More than 50 UK MPs from the Liberal Democrats, Labour, Conservatives, Greens, SNP, and Plaid Cymru have sent a letter to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy demanding a review of whether the Russian animated series 'Masha and the Bear' can be removed from British broadcast platforms.
The MPs argue that the popular children's show contains propaganda content. They point to episodes where the protagonist Masha wears what appears to be a Soviet tank crew hat and uniform, and another with a cap resembling that of NKVD border guards. According to the MPs, this imagery 'actively normalises Soviet military iconography for a global audience of young children'.
The letter, spearheaded by Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon, was prompted by Netflix's recent renewal of its licensing agreement with the Russian studio Animaccord for two new seasons, as well as the show's availability on ITV's digital platform ITVX. The MPs state that 'British parents have a right to expect that content reaching their children through licensed platforms has been subject to proper scrutiny'.
The MPs cite Ukraine's state-backed Center for Countering Disinformation, which called the cartoon 'an instrument of Russian soft power' that mocks other nations' traditions and normalises Soviet symbols. Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna also criticised the show, saying it is 'part of the Kremlin’s soft power, embedding pro-Kremlin and militaristic messaging in children’s entertainment'.
Animaccord, the studio behind the series, strongly denies the allegations. A spokesperson said the show contains 'no political messaging' and is about 'universal themes of friendship, kindness and imagination'. They stated the company has never received state funding.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport declined to comment, but Whitehall sources indicated that content decisions rest with broadcasters as long as they comply with Ofcom regulations. ITV and Netflix did not comment.
