There have been a variety of responses in the wake of the controversy surrounding Modern Warfare 2, and specifically the "No Russian" level, most of them falling into the range of minor outrage and worries over what exposing children to the game could do to their fragile little psyches. However over in Russia, the reaction has been a bit more reactionary. Today there's news from behind the Iron Curtain that the Russian government has recalled from stores all console versions of the game. Additionally, Infinity Ward has released a patch for the PC and Steam versions that completely remove "No Russian".

The gaming public in Russia have been upset by MW2 since the game's release, with an ire that goes beyond just one specific level. The game is viewed by the majority of that nation as culturally slanted towards an American audience, while being blatantly insensitive to other cultures. In the game, the Russian army is portrayed as little more than a terrorist organization who invade the United States and erect statues of dead terrorists in Washington D.C., so it is understandable that people might get upset. There are plans to release an edited version of the game in the former Soviet Union, but it must first be approved by the government.

While I agree that there are certain aspects of the game that can be viewed as disrespectful to our Cossack friends, once again I find myself questioning the logic of a government reacting to controversial subject matter by blocking all access. Clearly people are going to be upset by some of the game's content, but is the only answer to deny them a chance to see the offensive materials and make their own decisions? Instead, the government has decided that all gamers, child and adult alike, will have to make do with a watered-down version. To my own sensibilities, censorship will always be more offensive than even the most extreme video game.

[Source]