"Russian Students Embrace Patriotic Education as They Return to School"

Russian students are returning to school where they are being exposed to an increased emphasis on patriotism and the Kremlin's narratives about the war in Ukraine and its confrontation with the West. Students are required to listen to the national anthem and watch the flag-raising ceremony, while a new high school history textbook justifies the annexation of Crimea and the invasion of Ukraine. Basic military training is included in a self-defense and first aid course, and students are taught about weapons, information warfare, and extremist groups. Some parents express concern about the mandatory ideological lessons and the militarization of their children's education. However, some teachers are finding ways to circumvent the requirements and avoid political indoctrination.