Russian Government Rewrites History Textbooks to Promote Propaganda on Ukraine War
Russian high-school students will soon be introduced to a revised history textbook that promotes the Kremlin-approved narrative of the ongoing war in Ukraine and perpetuates anti-Western sentiments. The manuscript, aimed at 17-year-olds, includes sections such as “confrontation with the West,” “Ukraine is a neo-Nazi state,” and “Russia is a country of heroes.” It blames the United States for instigating the conflict and features a quote from President Vladimir Putin falsely claiming that Russia did not start any military actions but is trying to end them.
The new textbook, along with a separate edition for 16-year-old students covering World War II, was formally introduced by education minister Sergei Kravtsov on Monday and will be distributed to schools by September 1. Books for other grades will be revised in the coming years. This move is part of the Russian government’s broader effort to shape the way young Russians perceive the war and the country’s role in global affairs.
The transformation of Russia’s portrayal of Ukraine and the rest of the world highlights President Putin’s intent to rewrite history and portray himself as a victorious conqueror. It is also a part of a gaslighting campaign in which Putin tries to convince his own people and the world that Russia is a victim rather than an aggressor in Ukraine.
Teachers have expressed their concerns about the politicization of history education and the potential negative impact on students. One teacher, who requested anonymity, said: “Here history is once again used by the authorities to push a certain agenda, to solve certain political problems.” They added, “we have to understand that this is wider than schools-universities will be next, so screws will tighten in historical education, and its degradation won’t bring anything good.”
The revised textbook includes a chapter on the war in Ukraine, which refers to it as a “special military operation” and is heavily laden with conspiracy theories and anti-Western sentiments. It justifies the conflict by quoting Putin and blaming the United States for providing military assistance to Ukraine.
Critics have argued that the new textbook propagates false information, promotes war and militarism, and undermines critical thinking by encouraging students to distrust independent journalists and Western media. It also downplays recent events, such as foreign businesses pulling out of Russia due to the invasion, and frames them as opportunities for Russian businesses.
The revision of history textbooks in Russia is not new, but the dramatic changes in the portrayal of Ukraine and the world reflect Putin’s determination to control the narrative and shape how young generations perceive Russia’s past and present. As historians and educators warn, this manipulation of history has far-reaching consequences and will likely lead to a distorted understanding of the past and present events.
The revised textbooks were edited by Vladimir Medinsky, an ultraconservative nationalist who has been involved in historical revisionism and was appointed by Putin to head a commission on history education. Russian officials have praised the new textbooks as a tool to protect Russian traditions, but critics argue that they are an attempt to promote propaganda and suppress alternative narratives. With the completion of these new textbooks, Russian authorities will have achieved their goal of creating a single, government-approved history textbook, reminiscent of the Soviet curriculum, that aligns with Putin’s vision of Russian history.