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YouTube blocks 16 Russian channels in Ukraine, including 'Masha and the Bear'

5h

Summary

  • YouTube blocked 16 Russian channels for viewers in Ukraine, including foreign-language versions of the children's cartoon 'Masha and the Bear'.
  • Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation announced the restrictions on November 13, 2026.
  • The blocked channels belonged to Russian propagandists, pro-war bloggers, and entertainers supporting Russia's war, including war correspondent Alexander Sladkov and blogger Sergei Kolyasnikov.
  • The restrictions apply to access within Ukraine rather than a worldwide removal of the channels.
  • President Zelensky imposed sanctions in August 2026 on people and organizations tied to 'Masha and the Bear', including the studio Animaccord.
  • Ukraine reported in October 2026 that another 39 channels spreading Russian propaganda had been blocked or removed from YouTube.

Reactions

  • Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation said the blocked channels belonged to propagandists, pro-war bloggers, and entertainers backing Russia's war.
  • Ukraine's Presidential Office accused the 'Masha and the Bear' series of promoting pro-Russian narratives disguised as children's entertainment.
  • YouTube restricted access to the cartoon's Russian-, Ukrainian-, and English-language channels for viewers in Ukraine after the accusations.

Timeline newest first

  1. On November 13, 2026, Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation announced YouTube had blocked 16 Russian channels in Ukraine, including 'Masha and the Bear' versions and channels of Alexander Sladkov and Sergei Kolyasnikov.
  2. YouTube restricted access to the 'Masha and the Bear' Russian-, Ukrainian-, and English-language channels for viewers in Ukraine, following Zelensky's August 2026 sanctions on the cartoon's makers including Animaccord.
  3. In October 2026, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council reported another 39 channels spreading Russian propaganda had been blocked in Ukraine or removed from YouTube.
  4. In August 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed sanctions against five Russian citizens and four organizations involved in producing and distributing 'Masha and the Bear', including animation studio Animaccord.

Sources newest first

  • YouTube blocks 16 Russian channels in Ukraine, including 'Masha and the Bear' versionskyivindependent.com· 5h

    YouTube has blocked 16 Russian channels in Ukraine, including foreign-language versions of the children's cartoon "Masha and the Bear," as Kyiv moves to curb Russian propaganda online, with the restrictions applying to access within Ukraine rather than a worldwide removal. Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation announced the move, saying the channels belonged to propagandists, pro-war bloggers, and entertainers backing Russia's war, and President Zelensky's August 2026 sanctions on the cartoon's makers preceded its channels being restricted for Ukrainian viewers.

Background newest first

  • Russia launches 'mass attack' on Odesa Oblast as strikes kill 4, injure 69 across Ukraine over past daykyivindependent.com· 1h

    The Kyiv Independent reports Ukrainian authorities' claims that Russian attacks over the day before November 15, 2026 killed four and injured 69 across Ukraine, with Odesa Oblast hit by a 'mass attack' that left roughly 41,000 families without power, as Russia targets Ukraine's energy grid ahead of winter. The roundup also covers a drone strike damaging substations in Taganrog and a fire at a petrochemical facility in Nizhnekamsk in Russia, drones hitting three ships near Romania's coast, YouTube blocking 16 Russian channels, and Zelensky's warnings that Putin's proposed Kostiantynivka 'humanitarian mission' could let Russian forces occupy the city and that Starshield restrictions treat occupied territories as 'not ours'.