Ukrainian streaming platforms have started removing episodes from the fourth season of Game of Thrones featuring Yury Kolokolnikov, a Russian actor, following his designation as a threat to national security by Kiev. The move follows an August decision by Ukraine’s Culture Ministry to add Kolokolnikov to a list of individuals allegedly posing risks to the country’s security. The ministry cited his appearances in films funded by the Russian state budget.
Several other productions starring Kolokolnikov, including the third season of The White Lotus, Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, and Kraven the Hunter, have also been removed 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 directed distributors to eliminate specific films and TV series from their catalogs, according to reports. Discussions are reportedly underway with international platforms to restrict access to these titles.
Kolokolnikov, who has worked as an actor, director, and producer, has appeared in numerous international projects over the past decade. His recent roles include Darren Aronofsky’s 2025 film Caught Stealing and Apple TV’s The Last Frontier (2025). Since the 2022 conflict, Russian artists have faced growing restrictions abroad, with films, screenings, and cultural events increasingly barred. Moscow has criticized these measures as “Russophobic censorship,” asserting that efforts to exclude Russian culture will ultimately fail.
