Russian court sentences ‘Masyanya’ creator Oleg Kuvayev in absentia to four years over antiwar cartoon and ‘foreign agent’ violations
St. Petersburg’s Nevsky District Court has sentenced animator Oleg Kuvayev, creator of the animated series “Masyanya,” in absentia to four years and one month in a penal colony, Mediazona reported.
Kuvayev was charged with failing to meet his obligations as a “foreign agent” (Article 330.1 of Russia’s Criminal Code) and calling for activities directed against state security (Article 280.4).
Prosecutors had requested a prison sentence of five years and 11 months.
News of a criminal investigation into Kuvayev for calling for activities directed against state security emerged in October 2023. The investigation stemmed from an episode of “Masyanya” in which the main character urges Russian soldiers to surrender.
Russia’s Justice Ministry designated Kuvayev a “foreign agent” in December 2023. Authorities launched a criminal investigation into him under the “foreign agent” law after he failed to submit reports to the ministry on three occasions.
Kuvayev has lived in Israel since 2006. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he has released several antiwar episodes of “Masyanya.”
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