GTA 6 Faces Russia Ban Calls as Officials Slam “Dangerous” Content

For millions of Russian gamers, the road to Vice City might be coming to a dead end. As we approach the official November 19, 2026 launch date, Grand Theft Auto VI has found itself in the crosshairs of international political controversy.

A high-ranking official in Russia is calling for a preemptive ban on the game, citing content that allegedly threatens the "moral health" of the nation's youth. 

The "Dangerous Influence" Argument

The push for a ban is being led by Mikhail Ivanov, deputy chair of the World Russian People’s Council. In a recent statement, Ivanov labeled the unreleased title a "particularly dangerous tool of influence," claiming that Rockstar Games is intentionally packing the game with vulgarity.

His primary concern? Protecting the youth. Ivanov argues that the Grand Theft Auto series promotes a "poison of corruption and permissiveness" that is completely unacceptable under Russia's traditional spiritual values.

 

The Specific Trigger: Male Strippers?

While the series is famous for its depiction of high-octane crime, Ivanov took specific aim at a detail leaked earlier this year: the inclusion of male striptease scenes.

He described the planned content as a "direct and cynical violation" of basic moral norms. This specific focus on male entertainers has raised concerns within the LGBTQIA+ gaming community, as Russia has historically maintained strict restrictions on pro-LGBTQIA+ advocacy.

What Happens Next?

It’s important to note that Ivanov and his council don’t actually have the legal power to pull the plug. That authority belongs to Roskomnadzor, the federal agency that manages Russia’s list of "Extremist Materials."

While Roskomnadzor has a history of overlooking video games in favor of books and movies, they did ban Roblox in late 2025 over child safety concerns. Ivanov has given Rockstar an ultimatum: Release a "cleared" version of the game specifically for the Russian market, or face total exclusion.

 

The Global Context: A 140-Million-Person Question

If a ban is finalized, Rockstar stands to lose access to a potential audience of 140 million people. Russia has always been a massive market for the franchise, but they aren't the only ones to take a hard line. GTA has faced various levels of bans or heavy censorship in several other regions over the years:

Country	Status of GTA Series
Thailand	Historically banned following real-world crime controversies.
UAE & Saudi Arabia	Effectively blocked for over a decade; recently introduced a 21+ rating for GTA V.
Malaysia	Maintained a full-series ban due to graphic content.
Germany/Japan	Historically required "censored" versions (e.g., removing gore or specific drugs).

What’s your take? Should Rockstar create a "moral" version of GTA 6 to stay in the Russian market, or should they stick to their original vision regardless of the ban? Let us know in the comments!

 

Source: News.ru