Preparations underway for the new school year in the occupied part of the Luhansk region

Preparations for the new school year are underway in the occupied part of the Luhansk region. The Russians are providing children with “branded” stationery and backpacks, developing themed diaries, introducing changes to the teaching process and marking educational institutions with their symbols.

Trybun found out how these processes are taking place, what will be new for schoolchildren, and how the occupation administrations are using educational institutions for their propaganda.

What school supplies are distributed to children under occupation

In the occupied part of the Luhansk region, the Russian political party United Russia organised a Pack a Child for School campaign. Its goal is to provide children in need with backpacks and stationery.

The delivery of school supplies to children in Bryanka, Lysychansk and other localities was not without Russian paraphernalia, such as the flags of Russia and the United Russia.

In addition, some of the items distributed have a specific design. For example, one of the backpacks bears the “Z” symbol, which Russians associate with the so-called “special military operation” against Ukraine.

The charity event is also underway in Luhansk. It involves the occupation authorities as well as several departments of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in the occupied part of the region.

The occupiers also issued school kits to “students of the Bryanka gymnasium, where cadet classes are operating”. The introduction of cadet classes by the occupation administrations is one of the steps towards the militarisation of young people. The children who study there wear Russian military uniforms.

This year, the occupation authorities of the Luhansk region announced the release of unique “patriotic” diaries, more than 100,000 copies. The diaries contain symbols and texts of the anthems of Russia and the Luhansk “republic”, information about Russian projects and socio-political movements of children and young people and QR codes to join them, a map of the Luhansk “republic”, and a “historical” reference about the “republic”.

What children under occupation will study in the new school year

Schools in the occupied part of the Luhansk region are centres of Russian propaganda. In the classroom, children are told that Ukraine is the enemy and Russia is salvation, protection and liberation.

For example, from September 1, 2024, schoolchildren will be taught more about Russian heroes and participants in the so-called “special military operation”. A list of “our heroes” has already been prepared, consisting of three sections: “pre-revolutionary period”, “Soviet period,” and “modern Russia”.

One occupation resource noted that the section on “modern Russia” will focus on Russian servicemen, including Arsen Pavlov (Motorola), Olga Kachura, Vladimir Zhoga, Daria Dugina, daughter of the “Russian World” ideologue Alexander Dugin.

In the new academic year, the history of the Luhansk “republic” will continue to be taught “from ancient times to the present day”. The children will study the sections “the Luhansk region as part of the Ukrainian SSR (1921-1941)”, “Voroshilovgrad region during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945)”, “Development of the Luhansk region in 1945-1991”, “Luhansk region as part of Ukraine (1991-2014)”, “Luhansk People’s Republic – a new stage in the development of the region”, “The coup d’état in Ukraine (November 2013 – February 2014)”, “The socio-political situation in Luhansk region in spring 2014”, etc.

This year, the Russian authorities are implementing the Luhansk Character programme in all schools in the occupied part of the Luhansk region. The so-called “minister of education” of the Luhansk “republic” said that “it is aimed at developing a socially active position of young people on the example of Luhansk scientists, patriots, athletes and workers who have glorified our region.”

How educational institutions will look different under occupation

Starting from the new academic year, all schools, kindergartens, colleges and universities in the occupied part of the Luhansk region should have thematic zones with Russian symbols, information about Russian youth movements, etc. The presence of the Russian flag in institutions is mandatory.

The occupation authorities showed what a school space in Stanytsia Luhanska will look like. Information stands with Russian and “republican” symbols and information about Russian youth movements have been hung all around the school. The educational institution also created a board of honour for the “heroes” of the so-called “special military operation” and installed several “heroes” desks”.

A Kindrashivka school has no fewer of such stands. There also are thematic zones, murals, and banners dedicated to the Russian language, scientists, and history. The school also has “patriotic corners” dedicated to the “Great Patriotic War’ of 1941-1945 and the Soviet war in Afghanistan in 1979-1989.

Thus, Russian propaganda in the occupied territories is gaining momentum. The occupation authorities are introducing new methods of influence, including on schoolchildren. Changes in the educational processes are being introduced to Russify Ukrainian children.