Overview

• The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation has labelled ‘Squad22: ZOV’ a tool for mythologizing Russia’s invasion and recruiting youth through positive portrayals of its military operations.
• SPN Studio says the title underwent a 60-day Valve review and was developed with input from Russian veterans and the Main Military-Political Directorate.
• Valve has declined to explain why it approved a state-endorsed warfare simulator despite policies against political propaganda and excessively sanitized content.
• Steam users have given the game a Mixed rating while many reviews call for its removal over concerns that it sanitizes ongoing conflict.
• SPN Studio maintains that all proceeds go to team salaries and future development and insists the game seeks to present unvarnished history rather than fund the Russian military.