Putin Selfies Assigned as Homework in Occupied Ukraine, NYT Reports

A new report reveals a systematic effort to teach loyalty to Russia in schools in occupied areas of Ukraine. The New York Times investigation details a curriculum designed to erase Ukrainian identity. Children are given homework that includes watching speeches by President Vladimir Putin. One specific assignment required students to take a selfie with Putin’s image on a television or computer screen in the background. The report states that Russian authorities have rewritten textbooks and retrained teachers. The goal is to align education with Russian political and historical viewpoints. Key Ukrainian events and figures have been removed from lessons. Parents in these regions describe a constant pressure on their children to conform. The new school program is a central part of what analysts call Russia's "cultural occupation" policy. This policy aims to solidify political control through education. Access to the previous Ukrainian curriculum has been largely erased. The changes affect hundreds of schools across territories seized by Russia since the 2022 invasion.