A wave of new Russian TV dramas has hit domestic streaming platforms this spring, pushing aggressive state propaganda. One such series, Rosly, focuses on the 1940 Soviet-Finnish Winter War but heavily echoes Russia’s current invasion of Ukraine, according to Finnish broadcaster Yle.
Foreign journalists have observed that propaganda in Russia is no longer confined to state television — it now spreads through youth-friendly streaming services, enabled by over €400 million in annual Kremlin funding for films, TV shows, and media that promote “patriotism,” religion, and “traditional values.” Topics such as politics, sexuality, or mental health are largely taboo in Russian popular culture.
Rosly centers on a fictional officer, Ivan Rosly, who is sent to the Karelian front after defying orders — a punishment framed as a lesson for dissenters. Though the series admits that the USSR initiated the war, it portrays the invasion as justified, depicting Finnish soldiers as cruel and inhumane — a classic propaganda tactic to dehumanize the enemy.
Another scene shows Rosly speaking with a character who claims Finland and its allies are plotting to attack the USSR, reinforcing the idea that Finland is merely a puppet of the “hostile West.” This narrative mirrors the Kremlin's portrayal of Ukraine, the Baltics, and other neighbors as Western-controlled proxies.
The protagonist embodies the modern Russian "hero": insubordinate yet successful, ultimately rewarded by Stalin himself — reinforcing the notion that victory justifies all means. Analysts note this mindset reflects how today’s Russian regime seeks to legitimize war crimes in Ukraine.
Women in the series are also ideological symbols: the protagonist’s first wife is independent and unsympathetic — portrayed negatively — while another female character embodies the ideal of a loyal, self-sacrificing woman aligned with state interests.
One disturbing scene shows a soldier attempting to rape a Russian woman. Instead of condemning the attacker, Rosly excuses the act as a result of “bad upbringing” — an example of how Russian propaganda seeks to justify violence in service of a “higher goal.”
Through such series, Russia is not only attacking Ukraine but also vilifying Finland and the broader West, rewriting history to normalize militarization and confrontation.
