Putin sparks debate after appearing unexpectedly in a children’s classic

In a special episode of a well-known animated series, the Russian president makes an animated appearance, something that quickly sparked debate about the place of politics in children’s culture.

New Year in the capital

In the new New Year’s episode of the Russian children’s series Prostokvashino, the main characters travel to Red Square in Moscow to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

There, they end up discussing the president’s annual New Year address and how it is actually recorded.

The episode was released by the Russian streaming service Okko and, like the series as a whole, is aimed at a young audience.

The president makes an appearance

During their visit to Red Square, the characters encounter an animated version of Vladimir Putin.

The presidential figure briefly takes part in the storyline and is linked to the New Year’s greeting to the Russian people.

The voice of the animated president is provided by actor Dmitry Grachev, who has previously become known in Russia for his Putin impersonations in comedy programs.

Part of a broader strategy

Putin’s appearance in the series did not come entirely as a surprise. Earlier in the year, the leadership of the animation studio Soyuzmultfilm, which produces the series, had already signaled that such an element was on the way.

According to information reported by the Moscow Times, studio representatives have viewed the series as a tool to strengthen Russia’s cultural influence internationally, often referred to as soft power.

A modern continuation

Prostokvashino is a modern continuation of one of the most beloved children’s series of the Soviet era, based on stories by author Eduard Uspensky from the 1970s.

The new version was launched in 2018 and, like the original, is set in the fictional village of the same name.

The president’s appearance, however, marks a clearer step toward linking contemporary politics with a format that has traditionally been free of such messages.

Mixed reactions

The segment has sparked mixed reactions in Russian media and on social networks.

Some see it as a harmless New Year’s gesture, while others question whether political figures belong in content aimed at children.

Source: Moscow Times

This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation