Overview

• The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation denounced the game as Kremlin propaganda aimed at glorifying Russian military operations and influencing youth.
• Released May 28, Squad22: ZOV cleared Valve’s unusually long 60-day moderation despite being “designed with insights from Russian veterans and officially recommended by the Russian Military for cadet training.”
• Developers have embraced the backlash as “free marketing,” even inviting critics to add them to a Ukrainian blacklist while promoting the title on social media.
• Lead developer Alexander Tolkach says the concept originated with Russia’s Military-Political Directorate but funding came primarily from private investors.
• Ukrainian officials have urged Valve to remove the game, arguing its portrayal of Russian operations contravenes platform rules on state-sponsored propaganda.