Listen to this article | Michael_Novakhov shared this story from  Defence Blog. |
Cyprus-based video game developer, Gaijin Entertainment reportedly is funding pro-Russian rebels, terrorist groups in Ukraine through embedded third-party sponsorships and ads in YouTube content.
The story was first reported by MIL.IN.UA, which noticed Gaijin’s sponsored videos at the Krupnokalibernyy Perepolokh (Large-bore Mayhem) Youtube channel with the advertisement of «War Thunder» and «Crossout» games.
The Krupnokalibernyy Perepolokh’s channel is all about range shooting, reloading ammunition, and testing seized Ukrainian combat vehicles and weapons in real world conditions.
– ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW –
The channel shows videos of illegal testing of various weapons that Russia supplies to its occupying forces in the occupied part of Ukraine.
In addition, the blogger released a video with an evaluation of banned by PMN-2 mine by the Ottawa Convention or the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, which could only get to the territory of Donbas from Russia.
The author of the channel does not even hide that they make some of the content with the support of such well-known brands as “War Thunder” and “Crossout”, while the logos of these games were applied to concrete blocks and vehicles at the military range in self-styled “Donetsk People’s Republic” in eastern Ukraine.
It is estimated that advertising can generate $8 for every 1,000 views, with the most viewed material racking up half a million hits. Moreover, it is known that sponsored content can bring in about $7,000 per brand integration.
Furthermore, the content itself violates a number of the rules of YouTube itself, break company rules, and have a zero-tolerance policy for content that incites violence or hatred.
The Gaijin Entertainment could not confirm or refute the details of the Mil.in.ua’s media report.
