Moscow-written history books introduced in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine

Russia has introduced Moscow-written history books for children in areas of Ukraine under Russian occupation.

The books are being used this school year in schools in Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions.

They are aimed at pupils aged 10 to 13, younger than students who previously studied this regional history course.

The books describe Ukraine as a borderland rather than an independent nation, and portray Ukrainian Cossacks as traitors.

They present the 1932-33 Holodomor famine as an invention of Ukrainian nationalists and leave out the 1991 vote for Ukrainian independence.

Their account also repeats Russia’s justification for its 2022 invasion, saying it was needed to stop an alleged Ukrainian attack on Donetsk and Luhansk.

The new books bring Russia’s version of regional history to younger pupils, while Russia’s education minister calls the course objective and Ukraine accuses Russia of forcibly re-educating children.