Interviews with war participants, rifles inside a church, lessons on “service,” a film about “traitors,” and pressure on parents to join MAX — this is what the past week in Russian schools looked like.
📌 The “new elite” talks about war
For Defender of the Fatherland Day, schools screened interviews with participants in the war against Ukraine who became members of the “Time of Heroes” program. In the videos, these “new” officials and leaders of patriotic organizations answer questions, including whether they had to kill at the front. According to school reports, the screenings were held for students of all ages, including in at least one kindergarten.
📌 Teenagers with rifles at the altar
In Obukhovo near Moscow, students from a military-patriotic center performed drill and firearms demonstrations inside a church for Orthodox Youth Day. The video appeared on the VK page of the Peter and Paul Church and was later deleted. In the footage, teenagers in camouflage handle rifles directly in front of the altar.
📌 Mandatory “service”
Starting next academic year, schools will introduce a course titled “Learning Through Service. Firsts,” which will become part of the mandatory curriculum. According to the Minister of Education, it will involve high school students in projects for the state and NGOs — from social initiatives to supporting the military. The course had previously been piloted as an extracurricular activity, including examples like “mini-kitchens for soldiers” and field drying units.
📌 Propaganda film instead of lessons
In Samara, students were shown the film “Betrayal” by VGTRK deputy director Andrey Medvedev instead of history and English classes. The film, about people convicted of terrorism and “extremism,” was recommended by the Ministry of Education for viewers aged 12 and older.
📌 Teachers told to boost MAX subscriptions
In Dagestan, teachers say they were instructed to secure at least 1,000 subscriptions to the state messenger MAX from each school, including parents. Work chats demand reports and subscriptions from staff and their families, while some parents report pressure on minors to install the app.
