A Pro-Putin Art Collective Held An Anti-Ukraine Exhibit In Moscow

Nearly a year after protesters ousted former President Viktor Yanukovych from Ukraine, a Moscow art group showed history from the Kremlin's point of view.

To mark the one-year anniversary of former President Viktor Yanukovych's ouster from Kiev, a Russian art group put on an exhibit yesterday that presents the Kremlin's take on the turmoil in Ukraine.

"Anti-Maidan," named after the Kiev square where protesters and police clashed violently, commemorates "the tragic events that occurred on the Maidan," according to a description posted on the Russian social network VKontake.

"The artworks convey the atmosphere of present-day Ukraine, bringing all the fear and horror before the eyes of the visitors," the group — known in English as "Studio 13" — says of the exhibit.

"Approximately one year ago, Ukraine ceased to be an independent country and became subject to Western ideas," the description continues.

The art on display doesn't bother to hide its political slant. "And then I'll take you into NATO..." Obama tells Poroshenko, in a parody of Brokeback Mountain.

Poroshenko is shown presiding over a pile of skulls, ostensibly casualties from the war with Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine's East.

Here, Poroshenko lights a Cossack on fire.

"I am not Charlie," the sign the boy in this picture reads, "I'm Vanya from Donbass. I'm eight years old. And Poroshenko wanted to kill me. #I'mVanya"

The Kremlin claims the Ukrainian army shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over East Ukraine last July, despite evidence suggesting Russian-backed separatists were to blame.

Studio 13's members are big fans of Russian President Vladimir Putin, depicting him as a hero battling what the country's state-owned media call the "fascist junta" in Kiev.

"Thanks for the sanctions!" Putin declares. "Look what great cement we've started making! Our own!"

"Everything as usual. He's just saving the world."

This post was updated to correct the translation. An earlier version of the captions said "Ukraine is not Europe" and that Vanya wanted to kill Poroshenko, not the other way around.

Skip to footer