Russian tween fashion show sparks propaganda row

Bizarre video has emerged out of Russia showing tween fashion models brandishing toy guns and pretending to commit suicide in a statement on the conflict in Ukraine.

The performance, reportedly choreographed by 10-year-old designer Alita Andrishevskaya, features young girls aged between 10 and 12 dressed in the colours of nine countries – Russia, the US, Ukraine, Britain, Germany, China, Italy, France, and Greece.

In one sequence, a girl in Ukraine's blue and yellow cocks her gun and points it at the models representing Russia and the US.

She then points the gun at her own head before the other countries raise their hands to intervene.

Alita, who was also the model portraying Russia, insisted the show held at a leading Moscow fashion venue was about world peace.

"The meaning of this collection is that all the children in this world are united, they are friends," said the presenter at the event, part of accessories exhibition Chapeau 2014.

"The author wanted to draw the attention to the idea of the peace in the whole world."

But Kremlin critics labelled it a sick stunt meant to imply Ukraine is killing its own people, despite the common belief in the West the bloodshed is fuelled by Russia supplying weapons to separatist fighters in eastern Ukraine.

Some even accused Russia of using children as pawns in its battle with Kiev.

"Delirium ... Surrealism. Parallel world ..." user EvanGel45 said of the performance, which was posted online on Tuesday.

"Russia has pulled children into its dirty political plays! Russia, you are sick," lolbugaga wrote.

Maria Vityaz added: "Games that children play ... They grow very quickly – now they're targeting the audience and themselves with toy guns ... and tomorrow – you will forget, while they won't."

Source: YouTube
Author: Chloe Ross, Approving editor: Martin Zavan