Russia's Controversial Textbook Claims War in Ukraine Was 'Forced'

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A new school textbook presented in Moscow has sparked controversy by portraying Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a justified response to Western threats. The three-volume work, titled "Military History of Russia," was edited by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin. The textbook asserts that Russian troops were "forced" to enter Ukraine, likening the conflict to the Soviet struggle against Nazi Germany.

According to the textbook, the Kremlin views the war, officially termed as a "Special Military Operation," as a necessary fight against Western encroachment and Ukrainian aggression. This narrative contrasts sharply with the viewpoint of Ukraine and its Western allies, who label the invasion as unprovoked and aggressive.

The third volume of the textbook is intended for students aged 15 and older. It discusses the Kremlin’s justification for the war, highlights Russian military heroism, and suggests that contemporary Russian military strategies echo those used by the Soviet army in World War II. A chapter titled "Professionalism, indomitability and courage: Russian troops in the Special Military Operation" emphasizes the Russian government's claims about the necessity of military action.

As the textbook is aimed at educating a new generation, military historian Ivan Basik stated that it is crucial to explain the war's perceived "forced nature" to schoolchildren. The initiatives to reshape historical narratives in educational materials come amid rising tensions and differing perspectives on the conflict in Ukraine.

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