×
Enjoying ad-free content?
Since July 1, 2024, we have disabled all ads to improve your reading experience.
This commitment costs us $10,000 a month. Your support can help us fill the gap.
Support us
Our journalism is banned in Russia. We need your help to keep providing you with the truth.

Russia Bans 'Nazi Kitten'

The picture was posted on social networking site Vkontakte by a reported Nazi sympathizer and included a swastika along with the kitty and the Russian tricolor.

Russia is not for cats — or so the Justice Ministry appears to think.

The ministry has blacklisted a picture of a kitten featuring the text "Russia For Cats," a play on the notorious nationalist slogan "Russia for Russians," Znak.com said Thursday.

To be fair, the picture was posted on social networking site Vkontakte by a reported Nazi sympathizer and included a swastika along with the kitty and the Russian tricolor.

At the time of publication, the picture remained online at the Vkontakte community "Russia For Cats," full of homespun cat/Nazi humor. The community presently boasts 114 followers.

Since 2011, Russian authorities have been vested with the power to ban "extremist" content without a court order.

They had been pursuing said content with a hunter's zeal long before that, but their definition of extremism has often left something to be desired.

Along with jihadi videos and white supremacist newspapers, the 2,398-entry strong Federal List of Extremist Materials features items titled simply "3760081zi8.jpg" and "84359999ys4.jpg" (no explanation), and a depiction of Winnie the Pooh with a swastika armband.

See also:

Russian Cats Amaze With Impressive Swimming Feats

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more