On the first day of the new school year in occupied Ukraine on September 1, students are being indoctrinated to serve Russia’s interests and prepare for war. The regime has intensified efforts to mold the young population into loyal followers of Putin’s ideology. In Luhansk, the newly opened school symbolizes the regime’s strategy to control the occupied territories through the education system.
Leonid Pasechnik, the Russia-installed head of the occupied territories in Luhansk Oblast, was seen posing near a bust of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, highlighting the regime’s reliance on historical propaganda to justify its actions. The presence of high-ranking Russian officials at the school underscores the political strategy of using education as a tool for maintaining control over the population. This move is seen as a direct challenge to Ukraine’s sovereignty and cultural identity.
International observers have condemned the use of schools as instruments of political indoctrination. The situation has sparked global outrage, with many calling for increased sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine’s educational institutions. The first day of school in occupied Ukraine stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and the regime’s efforts to suppress Ukrainian identity.