President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signs decrees to sanction Russian defense industries, Rusal group, and 'Masha and the Bear' creators
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed four new decrees enacting National Security and Defense Council decisions to impose sanctions on several key Russian entities. The measures target the Rusal group, which controls 93% of Russian alumina imports, and nine associated Russian citizens. These sanctions aim to disrupt the Russian military-industrial complex, specifically targeting the aluminum produced for aircraft, missiles, and artillery. Additionally, the administration announced sanctions on the creators and distributors of the popular children's cartoon 'Masha and the Bear.' These actions provide legal grounds for Ukraine to request that global platforms like Netflix and YouTube restrict the monetization and distribution of the series. Ukrainian officials describe the show as a tool of Russian propaganda that shapes perceptions of Russia among children worldwide. The new packages also include sanctions on various Russian officials, collaborators, and defense-industry enterprises. These measures are part of a broader strategy to dismantle the occupation hierarchy and limit Russia's capacity to sustain its war effort against Ukraine.
Sources
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'Masha and the Bear' promotes pro-Russian narratives disguised as children's content – CCD chie
Ukrinform
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'Masha and the Bear': Ukraine sanctions Russian cartoon
DW
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Zelensky bans ‘Russian propaganda’ cartoon about girl and circus bear
The Times
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Ukraine Sanctions Five Russian Rusal Aluminum Enterprises
Kyiv Post
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New Ukrainian sanctions target multiple levels of Russia's war machine – sanctions commissioner
Ukrinform