Anna Hartz
‘Patriotic’ Plushies and War Games: What Russian Kids Are Playing With
As the war in Ukraine drags on, the battlefield has found a new front — toy stores and online marketplaces in Russia.
Instead of dolls or cars, some children are now playing with soldiers and board games that reflect real-world conflict, according to Ziare.
A “Gift for Patriots”
Products featuring the pro-war “Z” symbol have become common in Russia. The letter is seen on toy soldiers, plush animals, and even dashboard ornaments. Sellers often call them “gifts for patriots.”
One board game called Special Operation on the Outskirts lets players “liberate Ukraine from Nazi rule.”
It costs about $20 and includes fake currency with images of Putin, Lavrov, and other Russian leaders.
War-Themed Games
A similar game, Couch Expert, tests players on their knowledge of the war. It includes questions about media figures and politicians connected to the invasion.
Reviews show the games are often given as school gifts, especially to boys. Some buyers mention giving them on Defender of the Fatherland Day.
Not all war-themed toys are games. There are hand-crocheted animals wearing military vests and marked with Z or V.
One woman sells them with custom embroidery for an extra fee. Plush raccoons, teddy bears in uniform, and coloring books featuring tanks are also popular.
Some toys are made by soldiers’ widows. Others are mass-produced. One customer even complained that her dashboard cat didn’t have the Z she ordered. Another reviewer proudly wrote, “Russia always wins!”
Psychologists are concerned. They say these products help turn war into a part of daily life for children.
Propaganda for Kids?
One Russian psychologist said boys are being shaped from a young age to accept war as normal. Buying toys with patriotic slogans becomes part of that process.
A German toy expert added that these toys give children a version of reality where weapons are exciting and being a fighter is the goal.
He warns that role-playing with these toys helps turn propaganda into play.
From fuzzy toys to board games, Russia’s war has moved into the hands of children.