logo
Russia Rewriting History
A view of a Russian history textbook for schools with a sign on the cover reads "Russian history. 1945 year - beginning of the 21st century. Grade 11. A basic level", in Tallinn, Estonia, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. In Russia, history has long become a propaganda tool used to advance the Kremlin's political goals. In an effort to rally people around the flag, the authorities have sought to magnify the country's past victories while glossing over the more sordid chapters. A new history textbook released by authorities last year featured a chapter on Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine and described the collapse of the Soviet Union as "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century." (AP Photo)

How the Kremlin weaponized Russian history — and has used it to justify the war in Ukraine

When Tucker Carlson asked Vladimir Putin about his reasons for invading Ukraine two years ago, Putin gave him a lecture on Russian history

By DASHA LITVINOVA
Published - Feb 21, 2024, 12:40 AM ET
Last Updated - Feb 21, 2024, 12:40 AM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Earlier this month, when Tucker Carlson asked Vladimir Putin about his reasons for invading Ukraine two years ago, Putin gave him a lecture on Russian history. The 71-year-old Russian leader spent more than 20 minutes showering a baffled Carlson with dates and names going back to the ninth century.

Putin even gave him a folder containing what he said were copies of historical documents proving his points: that Ukrainians and Russians historically have always been one people, and that Ukraine’s sovereignty is merely an illegitimate holdover from the Soviet era.

Carlson said he was “shocked” at being on the receiving end of the history lesson. But for those familiar with Putin's government, it was not surprising in the least: In Russia, history has long been a propaganda tool used to advance the Kremlin’s political goals. And the last two years have been entirely in keeping with that ethos.

In an effort to rally people around their world view, Russian authorities have tried to magnify the country’s past victories while glossing over the more sordid chapters of its history. They have rewritten textbooks, funded sprawling historical exhibitions and suppressed — sometimes harshly — voices that contradict their narrative.

Our Offices
  • 10kInfo, Inc.
    13555 SE 36th St
    Bellevue, WA 98006
  • 10kInfo Data Solutions, Pvt Ltd.
    Claywork Create
    11 km, Arakere Bannerghatta Rd, Omkar Nagar, Arekere,
    Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076
4.2 12182024