Russia: Schools in Novosibirsk use patriotism books urging students to die for the country

Schools in Novosibirsk, Siberia, have begun using a new patriotism textbook that encourages students to prepare to die for their country. The text, intended for spiritual and moral formation, frames the sacrifice of a defender's life as a blessing and a form of love.

The book contains highly critical views of Western nations, describing Europeans as “thieves, murderers, and liars” and claiming Western children are “mentally disabled” due to Hollywood films, video games, and Disney cartoons. It also equates homosexuality with pedophilia and suggests that European colonial history was built on theft and murder, contrasting this with a claim that Russia has never exploited its various peoples.

While the textbook is not on the official national list of mandatory texts, it is being used as part of patriotism lessons integrated into the curriculum since 2022. The content reflects Kremlin efforts to spread specific ideological messaging within educational institutions. The text focuses heavily on the war in Ukraine and promotes the superiority of Russia over Western countries.