The documentary 'Against Putin' has drawn attention for revealing how Russian president Vladimir Putin's military propaganda is being disseminated to students in schools. This important work won an Oscar in the long documentary category, highlighting the serious issues it addresses. Filmed in the Karabashi municipality, the documentary couldn't be produced safely in Russia, necessitating the participation of the BBC to manage the production’s risks and the potential repercussions from the Russian government.

The film's main subject, Pavel Talankin, secretly recorded video material at his workplace in School Number One in Karabashi. The film crew faced considerable dangers, requiring Talankin to eventually leave Russia for his safety due to the risks associated with revealing sensitive information about state propaganda. Important precautions had to be taken throughout the production process to avoid retaliation from Russian authorities.

Reported by The New York Times, the documentary provides a stark look at the lengths to which individuals must go to expose the truth in contexts where dissent is aggressively suppressed. The censorship surrounding this documentary reflects the formidable efforts by the Russian state to control information and quell any criticisms of Putin, demonstrating the ongoing struggle for freedom of speech in Russia.