How Ukraine Claims Russia Is Using a Video Game to Spread Military Propaganda

The world we live in today is not the same as it was a few decades ago. Wars and battles are no longer fought only on the ground with weapons and soldiers. A new front has opened up, one that exists in the digital space. Here, battles are fought not with bullets, but with ideas, narratives, and psychological influence. 

In this new kind of warfare, the goal is not just to defeat the enemy physically, but to break their spirit and reshape how people think and feel. Now, this can be done by TV, music, and film. Why are we bringing this up now? Because the Ukrainian government has recently made a serious allegation. They claim that the Russian government is using a computer game, developed by Russian developers under the guidance of the Kremlin, as a tool to spread propaganda and influence public opinion, especially among the youth.

Ukraine Alleges Russia Uses Video Game ‘Squad 22: ZOV’ for Propaganda Purposes

The game in question is titled Squad 22: ZOV. It has been introduced as a real-time strategy (RTS) game, built around the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, specifically focusing on Russian military operations in Ukraine, which began in 2022 and is still ongoing. 

What makes this game controversial is not just its theme, but how it presents the war. According to the Ukrainian government, the game features fictionalized versions of real Russian soldiers, one of whom is Vladislav Golovin. He reportedly took part in the battle for Mariupol, a battle that left the city devastated and thousands of civilians dead. Media sources report that Golovin lost his leg after stepping on a mine during the fighting and was later awarded the title “Hero of Russia” in 2022.

What raises concern is the way this game retells those events. The allegations claim that the game shows Russian military actions through the lens of Russian state propaganda. It turns acts of aggression into moments of triumph, presenting so-called "victories" that, in reality, were war crimes. Even more disturbing is how the game simplifies war into a kind of strategic adventure, something thrilling and honorable, rather than chaotic and deeply tragic.

Especially for the youth inside Russia, this game may plant the idea that war is not only justified, but also heroic. According to the Ukrainian claim, it’s part of a bigger effort to steer the next generation toward military thinking and support for the ongoing conflict.

Seeing all these allegations gaining attention, one would expect the game’s developer to step forward with a serious clarification or at least a denial. But that’s not what happened. Instead of addressing the concerns raised by the Ukrainian government, the developer chose to treat the controversy as a golden opportunity for “free marketing.” That’s right, rather than taking responsibility or explaining their intentions, they decided to ride the wave of headlines for publicity.

According to a report by Rock Paper Shotgun, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again publicly stated that Ukraine would never surrender to Russian aggression, the developer made a tone-deaf and almost mocking comment. They responded, “This means we are expecting more content for the game.”

At the time of writing this, there has been no response from Valve, the company behind the Steam platform, where the game Squad 22: ZOV is still live and accessible. Also, let me tell you review aint great either, for the game is rated as 6/10. Now, it might be due to targeted rating bombarding, also due to this controversy. It’s important to note that these are allegations made by the Ukrainian government and should not be seen as the complete picture without further clarification. That’s why it becomes even more important for Valve to come forward and share their side or provide clarity on the situation.

Written By:  Ashish Jha, India Today Gaming