June 07, 2026

Play as Propaganda


Play as Propaganda
Fun for your inner eight-year-old. Bereg

The Russian journalistic collective Bereg published a photo collection of modern children's playgrounds in Moscow.. That may sound innocuous enough, but since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2021, military and patriotic themes have come to dominate in kids' spaces.

The photos show that, in some of Russia's nicest neighborhoods, new playgrounds have elements resembling fighter jets, police vans, and 18th-century cannons. Also widespread are representations of the Kremlin and old Russian fortresses, although, according to experts cited in the article, these are nothing new, and are analogous to Western playgrounds mimicking castles.

Notably, and perhaps not surprisingly, many playgrounds feature imagery from World War II: I-153 fighter planes, T-34 tanks, and Katyusha rocket launchers. Some simply have panels with patriotic designs on them. Others are watched over by patriotic posters.

Architects quoted in the article said that children don't really care about the motifs on display; instead, they said that the patriotic designs showcase the developers' loyalty to the state and thus curry favor with authorities. While this may be true, the trend is also in line with increasing propaganda aimed at children.

View the whole collection here

 

You Might Also Like

  • December 23, 2025

"Careful What You Say At School"

How mothers raise children under censorship and propaganda -- and what it does to the minds of parents and kids.
More War, Fewer Books
  • August 25, 2025

More War, Fewer Books

Ukrainian book sales are decreasing, but demand for English-language literature is on the rise.
Integration through Education?
  • October 08, 2023

Integration through Education?

Russian President Putin stressed the importance of education in regions newly annexed from Ukraine. But is there a more sinister motive at play?
Putin's Victorious Summer
  • July 08, 2020

Putin's Victorious Summer

This year's Victory Day parade was a sight to behold⁠— and we might be seeing its effects for the next 16 years.
Patriotism Ed
  • September 20, 2022

Patriotism Ed

New classes are popping up in Russian schools to discuss the invasion of Ukraine.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

Driving Down Russia's Spine
June 01, 2016

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955