Kathrine Frich
The Kremlin’s censorship campaign is increasingly reaching beyond politics and into everyday culture.
Now Russian authorities have reportedly seized British children’s books about dinosaurs, birds and anatomy after labeling them “extremist literature.”
Books confiscated
According to The Moscow Times cited by United24Media, customs officials in St. Petersburg intercepted a shipment of children’s books imported from the United Kingdom.
Photos released by Russian authorities showed titles from British publisher Usborne, including The Dinosaurs Who Met Santa Claus, Eggs and Chicks, Space Puzzles and Very First Questions and Answers: What’s Inside Me?
Officials claimed 28 books in English and German contained prohibited material.
“Extremist content”
Russian customs authorities said a state expert review concluded that the shipment included “extremist content.”
However, officials did not explain what specific material inside the children’s books triggered the classification.
According to reports, the shipment weighed 12.7 tons and had an estimated value of 140,000 pounds sterling.
Publisher targeted
The Moscow Times reported that the books belonged to British publisher Usborne, which previously refused cooperation with Russia following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Despite that boycott, the publisher’s books reportedly continued entering Russia through parallel import systems and online marketplaces.
Russian authorities have now opened an administrative case against the transport company involved in the shipment.
Propaganda contrast
The seizure comes as Russian schools increasingly distribute state-approved wartime propaganda materials to children.
According to recent reports cited by The Moscow Times, schools are using comic books glorifying Russian soldiers involved in the invasion of Ukraine.
The government-backed materials reportedly include graphic depictions of violence and soldiers accused by Ukraine and the European Union of involvement in alleged war crimes.
Sources: The Moscow Times, Agentstvo, United24media
