A court in St. Petersburg on Monday sentenced Oleg Kuvaev, creator of the animated series “Masyanya,” to four years and one month in a general-regime penal colony.
Kuvaev, a Russian-Israeli citizen who has lived in Israel since 2006, was convicted in absentia of publicly calling for activities against state security and failing to comply with obligations imposed under Russia’s “foreign agent” law. Earlier this month, prosecutors had sought a sentence of five years and 11 months.
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, Kuvaev was convicted under Article 280.4 of the Russian Criminal Code, with the offense committed via the internet, as well as Article 330.1, which concerns violations of obligations imposed on those designated as foreign agents.
Responding to the sentence, Kuvaev told ynet: “They sentenced me in absentia to six years in prison because of my animated films. My response is simple: Russia today is a large, dying empire, the last empire in its death throes. It fires indiscriminately in every direction, especially at smart, talented and honest people, among whom I hope I can include myself. So I see this sentence as more of a prize than a punishment.”
The proceedings against him have continued for about three years. In October 2023, it was reported that Russia’s Investigative Committee had opened a criminal case against him.
The investigation followed episode 169 of “Masyanya,” which ends with the title character calling on Russian soldiers to surrender.
In December that year, Russia’s Justice Ministry added Kuvaev to its list of “foreign agents,” citing his opposition to the “special military operation,” the term Russian authorities use for the war in Ukraine.
Shortly afterward, the Interior Ministry placed him on its wanted list. A charge of violating his obligations as a “foreign agent” was later added because he had failed to submit reports to the Justice Ministry.
A separate investigation was opened against him in August 2025 following a complaint by the pro-Putin patriotic movement People’s Call over episode 182 of the series.
That episode is a parody of Mikhail Bulgakov’s “Heart of a Dog,” portraying supporters of the Russian authorities as dogs. In September 2025, another criminal proceeding against Kuvaev was reported.
Kuvaev, who was born in St. Petersburg, has focused “Masyanya” extensively on the war since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In episode 160, “Wakizashi,” released in March 2022, Masyanya brings Russian President Vladimir Putin a short Japanese sword for what the episode calls “the only good decision.” Episode 162, “St. Mariuburg,” released in July 2022, also drew attention in Russia. In it, China attacks Russia.
In an introduction to the episode, Kuvaev wrote that it was aimed at people who support the Russia-Ukraine war “by a monstrous mistake.”
In an interview with ynet in August 2025, Kuvaev said he was releasing one episode each month. He said all of the episodes over the previous three years had dealt with the war, giving Russian authorities plenty of reason to be angry with him.