Russian Animators Sign Open Letter Condemning the War

The Ukrainian and Russian animation communities have signed an open letter condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The letter was signed by more than 700 directors, animators, producers and other production personnel, as well as critics, historians, festival programmers and other people connected to the animation community.

The letter stated, “We’re convinced that war brings nothing but death, pain and destruction. And nothing can justify it. The animation community of Ukrainian and Russian animation filmmakers is united and inseparable; we have been working together, watching each other’s films for many years. The art of animation is also an art that helps people to feel human. Not to kill, not to destroy. To unite.

“And today our children, our brothers, are sent to kill those with whom they recently played in the same yard and watched the same cartoons, without distinguishing whether they are Russian or Ukrainian ones,” the letter continued.

“Animation and art, in general, have always been imbued with anti-war spirit. We believe that the current military actions are directed not just at our Ukrainian friends and colleagues, but against all people, humanity and as a whole. We are against war.”