UK MPs Demand Ban on 'Masha and the Bear'

British MPs called for a ban on the cartoon 'Masha and the Bear'.

Consensus

Fifty UK parliamentarians signed a letter calling for the ban of the animated series 'Masha and the Bear'.
The petition was directed to UK Minister for Culture Liz Truss.
The petition was prompted by Netflix's acquisition of rights to two additional seasons of the series.
The MPs claimed the show contains Soviet-era military symbolism, including a tank commander's cap and a border guard hat associated with the NKVD.
The MPs argued that the series normalizes Soviet military iconography for children.
The series is available in the UK on the ITVX streaming platform.
The series is produced by Animaccord and has been translated into over 40 languages.
The petition was led by Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon.
The MPs referenced criticism from Estonian and Ukrainian officials about the show's alleged role in Russian soft power.
Animaccord denied any propaganda intent, calling the allegations false and damaging.

The letter was sent to Minister for Culture Liz Truss. — kommersant
The petition was submitted on July 2, and the Guardian reported it on that date. — vm
The petition was submitted after Netflix's purchase of two seasons, and the Guardian reported it. — vesti
The petition was submitted after Netflix acquired rights to two new seasons, and the Guardian reported it. — vedomosti
The petition was prompted by Netflix acquiring rights to the eighth and ninth seasons, and the renewal of previous seasons and spin-offs. — m24