Netflix has acquired new seasons of the animated series that Russia is using to promote its narratives
The streaming service Netflix has officially acquired the rights to stream the eighth and ninth seasons of the Russian animated series “Masha and the Bear” and has extended its existing license to stream the series in more than 100 countries worldwide.
In addition to the main episodes, the platform’s new agreement covers all previous seasons and themed spin-offs of the franchise. The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine issued an official statement regarding the risks associated with the distribution of this content.
Ukrainian security experts emphasize that this popular children’s project, whose YouTube channel has already surpassed 60 million subscribers, is a clear instrument of Russian “soft power” on the international stage. Experts note that the children’s media space has the potential to significantly influence future global perceptions of entire cultures and historical narratives, and that behind the seemingly innocent image of children’s animation lies the promotion of dangerous Kremlin-backed ideas:
Shaping a positive image of the Russian Federation: through the central character, the Bear, who conveys the image of an exceptionally kind, calm, hardworking, and extremely caring hero.
Covert xenophobia: the use of the main character Masha’s destructive behavior to ridicule established national stereotypes and traditions of other peoples around the world.
Militarization of consciousness: the systematic integration and normalization of Soviet symbols, elements of Soviet daily life, and militaristic motifs directly into entertainment content aimed at the youngest viewers.
The rights to the cartoon remain with the Russian studio “Animaccord,” which, despite being legally registered in Cypriot offshore jurisdictions, maintains a steady financial connection with the Russian Federation and pays taxes to the Russian budget. Experts at the Center for Countering Disinformation emphasize that during a full-scale war, careful monitoring of the children’s information environment and blocking the enemy’s cultural expansion become an integral part of the state’s overall national security.
Source: Center for Countering Disinformation.
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