Steam Under Fire: Platform Hosts “Officially Recommended” Russian Military War Game Depicting Ukraine Invasion
Valve’s popular Steam platform is at the center of a storm following the recent release of “Squad 22: ZOV,” a free-to-play tactical shooter that depicts Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and disturbingly claims to be “officially recommended by the Russian Military.” The game, the sole release from developer SPN Studio and publisher Zarobana Entertainment, has been widely condemned as blatant Russian propaganda, raising serious questions about its presence on the global gaming storefront.
“Squad 22: ZOV” invites players to experience the “complexities of the 2014 and 2022-2024 events,” referencing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While touting historical accuracy based on “people’s experience,” the game’s Steam page boasts an even more controversial endorsement: it’s “officially recommended by the Russian Military for use as a basic infantry tactic manual for cadet and Yunarmy training.” The Yunarmy, a youth military movement established by President Putin in 2015, now appears to be incorporating video games into its recruitment and training efforts, with “Squad 22: ZOV” reportedly exhibited at the Army 2024 event.
Further cementing its ties to the Russian military narrative, the game’s website lists “Hero of the Russian Federation” Vlad Golovin, who commanded a platoon during the siege of Mariupol, as a special military consultant. This devastating siege is even featured as a playable mission, alongside the “Russian Spring of 2014.” The “ZOV” in the title itself is a direct reference to symbols used on Russian military equipment to show support for the invasion. Gameplay mechanics reportedly include “rescuing hostages” and “capturing prisoners” from a Russian perspective, and interacting with civilians in what sources describe as Russian soldiers “liberating” real-life Ukrainian territories.
The controversy deepens as it’s revealed the free-to-play game includes paid downloadable content for specific campaigns. This means Valve, by hosting the game, could be financially benefiting from a project with direct military affiliations, though direct funding to the Russian Military via the developer remains unconfirmed. The game’s Steam page has reportedly become a hotbed for coordinated propaganda and hate speech, with older positive reviews echoing pro-Russian sentiments amid a sea of recent negative feedback.
Disturbingly, a social media account linked to the game’s developer posted a message suggesting Ukraine’s continued resistance would provide “a lot of content to make more missions in our game.” Adding to the alarm, the Ukrainian Centre for Countering Disinformation has already identified “Squad 22: ZOV” as “a key element in brainwashing the population, reflecting the Russian government’s version of events regarding the invasion of Ukraine and glorifying military service.” The developer has also admitted to using AI “as a base for work of our 2D artists.”
This situation puts Valve’s content moderation policies under intense scrutiny. In 2018, Steam stated its approach was “to allow everything onto the Steam Store, except for things that we decide are illegal, or straight up trolling.” However, Valve has previously removed controversial titles, including a game addressing the Israel-Palestine conflict from a Palestinian perspective (removed in the UK after counter-terrorism unit demands) and “No Mercy,” which depicted explicit sexual violence.
As criticism mounts, Eurogamer has reportedly contacted Valve for clarification on its moderation process for “Squad 22: ZOV” and whether the game, seen by many as a propaganda tool, will be allowed to remain on the platform. The gaming community now watches closely to see how Valve will navigate this politically charged issue.
