A new game called Squad 22: ZOV just appeared on Steam, and it’s already causing a stir. The game claims to be officially endorsed by Russia’s military and puts players in command of Russian troops fighting in the ongoing Ukraine war. Naturally, this has upset many, especially Ukrainian players and others who see it as blatant propaganda.
Developed by SPN Studio and published by Zarobana Entertainment, Squad 22 is a tactical infantry manual based on insights from Russian veterans and active soldiers, some of whom are named on the game’s official website. It covers events from the annexation of Crimea in 2014 through the 2022-2024 invasion period, eager to show “history as it is.”
Yeah, that’s a bold claim given the ongoing International Criminal Court investigations into alleged war crimes by Russian forces in Ukraine, and Vladimir Putin’s arrest warrant. So, it’s no surprise that many denounce the game as Russian war propaganda. The Ukrainian Centre for Countering Disinformation labeled it as such even before its Steam release, and the game’s reviews hover around a mixed rating, with some users calling it an “ethical abomination.”
People on social media are asking how this game ever made it onto Steam in the first place, with calls for its removal. I contacted the lead developer, Alexander Tolchak, who said Valve moderated the game for 60 days, far longer than the usual week-long process. According to him, Valve reviewed all in-game content carefully and approved it because the game only features legal content and no extreme violence.
Tolchak also explained that the game’s concept came from the GVPU, Russia’s Military-Political Directorate, but funding mainly came from private investors and the dev team’s savings. The GVPU reportedly helped by providing information, but did not fund the project directly.
He insists that none of the game’s revenue goes to the Russian military, only to pay salaries and future projects, though I’m skeptical about that claim. Even if true, Russian developers would still be paying taxes to the state, so money somehow finds its way back.
What hits hard is the fact that this game is set in a war that’s devastated Ukraine and harmed millions. Tolchak admits the situation is problematic and understands why many devs avoid recent conflicts or stick to fictional settings. He even suggests Steam might consider blocking sales in Ukraine, similar to how it has in Russia.
He argues that Western media is full of disinformation, and the game is their way of defending their perspective and dignity. But honestly, would many players trust a game backed by Russia’s military to tell the whole truth? I’m not so sure.
What do you think? Should Steam allow games like Squad 22 to be sold, or is it crossing a line?
