(MENAFN) Ukrainian streaming services have begun removing episodes from the fourth season of Game of Thrones that feature Russian actor Yury Kolokolnikov, reports indicate. The move follows a decision by Ukraine’s Culture Ministry to blacklist Kolokolnikov, citing alleged threats to national security.

In August, the ministry added Kolokolnikov—also a director and producer—to the list of individuals deemed a security risk, noting that he had appeared in films reportedly financed by the Russian state. Other productions featuring him, including the third season of The White Lotus, Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, and the superhero film Kraven the Hunter, have also been removed from Ukrainian streaming platforms. Screenshots shared by local media show the message: “This content cannot be viewed in Ukraine.”

The State Film Agency has instructed distributors and media companies to remove certain films and series from broadcast and streaming catalogs, and reports indicate it is discussing with international platforms the potential to restrict access to the banned titles abroad.

Kolokolnikov has appeared in numerous international productions over the past decade, including Darren Aronofsky’s 2025 film Caught Stealing and Apple TV’s The Last Frontier (2025). Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Russian artists have faced increasing restrictions internationally. Russian films have been withdrawn from festivals, screenings canceled, and actors and directors disinvited or blacklisted from cultural events across the West.

Moscow has criticized these measures as “Russophobic censorship”, warning that attempts to “cancel” Russian culture will ultimately fail.

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