New Russian history textbook includes chapter on war in Ukraine and Russia’s ‘struggle against collective West’

Russia’s history textbook for students in 10th and 11th grade will now include a chapter on the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Journalists from the news outlet Sota received photographs of the textbook from a teacher in Arkhangelsk.

The textbook teaches students that the West used Ukraine as a “striking fist, aimed at Russia” and as a “foothold for a NATO attack.” The textbook also says that in January 2022, Moscow learned that Ukraine, with the support of the West, was preparing for a “full-scale military operation to capture the Donbas and Crimea,” which forced Russia “to take preventative measures.” The goal of these measures, as stated in the textbook, was to “relieve Donetsk and Luhansk from daily shelling, ensure their sovereignty, and the de-militarization and de-nazification of Ukraine.”

At the very end of the chapter, the textbook (without giving context) quotes Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov’s statement regarding Germany’s attack on the Soviet Union: “Our cause is just! The enemy will be defeated! Victory will be ours!”

The textbook was written by Vyacheslav Nikonov, a State Duma deputy from the United Russia party, and Sergey Devyatov, an advisor to the director of Russia’s Federal Protective Service. Sota writes that the textbook will become a part of the school curriculum starting September 1, 2023. However, the publication Podyom (“Rise”) writes that the textbook will not be mandatory, citing the Russian Word publishing house.