Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has made a guest appearance in a special space-themed episode of the popular animated television series Prostokvashino. The new episode, titled Space Record, was produced by the Soyuzmultfilm animation studio with official support from state space agency Roscosmos and has been released on the Okko online streaming platform.
The story follows Sharik, a dog who dreams of traveling to outer space after watching a televised interview with Kononenko, the commander of the Roscosmos cosmonaut detachment. Inspired by the interview, Sharik decides to apply for a new space recruitment drive and builds a mock International Space Station inside his home attic. His plans meet resistance from his housemate Matroskin the cat, who attempts to bring his friend back down to Earth through various schemes.
Inspiring future space explorers
Addressing his involvement, Kononenko said that working on the animated project was a completely new professional experience, but described the core concept as fascinating. He explained that animation provides a direct line of communication with young audiences, noting that Prostokvashino is cherished by millions of families across Russia. The veteran cosmonaut added that introducing space themes through beloved cartoons can inspire children and parents alike, framing space exploration not as an unreachable dream but as an achievable goal.
Kononenko also expressed hope that Sharik's fictional journey would help young viewers believe in their ability to overcome obstacles while pursuing their own ambitions. Yuliana Slashcheva, the chairman of the board of directors at Soyuzmultfilm, noted that featuring real spacefarers within the show's fictional world creates a meaningful way to discuss important topics with children.
Slashcheva stated that the studio views its various projects as part of a shared creative universe built over ninety years of production history. She explained that timeless cartoon characters act as the studio's own stars, providing unlimited space for creative storytelling that can communicate essential values to youth.
Expanded format for the eighth season
The release of Space Record coincides with the launch of the eighth season of Prostokvashino in September 2026. For the first time since the animated sitcom premiered in 2018, individual episode runtimes have been extended to 11 minutes. The modern series serves as a continuation of the classic Soviet cartoon franchise inspired by the stories of renowned children's author Eduard Uspensky.
The show features a prominent vocal cast, including Anton Savenkov as Sharik, Anton Tabakov as Matroskin the cat, Ivan Okhlobystin as Pechkin the postman, Tatyana Sharko as Mama, and Tatyana Vasilyeva as Nanya. All episodes and seasons of the series are currently available for streaming on Okko, which co-produced the project alongside Soyuzmultfilm.
