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I'm Maxim Polyakov, a correspondent for the online magazine '7x7'.

Russian authorities have frequently criticized the late politician Alexey Navalny for the presence of teenagers at his protests. “Children should stay away from politics,” declares the propaganda narrative that emerged in March 2017 following anti-corruption rallies. Meanwhile, the authorities themselves consistently involve children in propaganda efforts, ranging from pre-election parties in courtyards to the ideological Conversations About Important Things in schools. Appointing military personnel as teachers marks a new stage in the indoctrination of young Russians. According to Vladimir Putin, patriotism is best instilled through the personal experiences of soldiers. Consequently, since the beginning of 2024, the authorities have been facilitating the employment of so-called “Special Military Operation (SMO) veterans” in schools. Amidst a staff shortage, these individuals are not limited to teaching their specialized subject, Basics of Security and Homeland Defense, but also take on other disciplines such as history, social studies, and more. In this newsletter, I will explain why the Kremlin is lobbying for the employment of military personnel in schools, assess whether this “patriotism propaganda” is likely to succeed, and explore its potential impact on children.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Why the Kremlin Brings Soldiers to Schools

Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, media outlets and other sources have noted at least 14 cases of veterans joining school staff (7x7 excluded teachers who left for the war and later returned to their jobs from this count). In December 2022, a 21-year-old man was hired as a physical education teacher at School No. 42 in Ulyanovsk after completing his military service. In August 2024, journalists reported that a former deputy became the principal of School No. 87 in Perm after returning from the war.

By placing soldiers in schools, the Kremlin sends a message to military personnel that they represent the country’s new elite. Political analyst Abbas Gallyamov describes this as a classic propaganda initiative, targeting not those already involved in the war but those contemplating signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense.

“Of course, money is the main motivator to go to war. But on the whole, even loyal Russians don’t trust the state and expect to be deceived. They see stories about people struggling to get their military payments and start doubting whether signing a contract under such circumstances is worth it. The authorities are trying to drown out this negativity with a flood of positivity. By offering jobs in schools and other places, they send a message: ‘We entrust you with educating the next generation because you are the country’s most valuable people,’” Gallyamov explained to 7x7.

According to the analyst, institutions forced to employ veterans are deeply unhappy with the Kremlin’s directives. Even Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the United Russia party and Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, told the heads of United Russia’s regional executive committees that not all “SMO veterans” are fit to run for office.

“Medvedev clearly tried to smooth over the rough edges, but his main point was this: don’t go overboard recruiting SMO veterans as deputies,” Gallyamov remarked. “He spoke on behalf of regional bureaucracies that don’t want to hand over their mandates to this troublesome public. And they are troublesome: on one hand, they're not particularly intelligent individuals, and on the other, they have inflated egos and ambitions, convinced that they fought for the motherland while others sat in cozy offices. The system already resents them and will continue to push back unless the Kremlin starts forcing their integration manually. The same applies to schools and other places where these people might end up.”

How PTSD in Soldiers-Turned-Teachers Affects Students

In May 2024, a teacher of history, social science, and life safety from Voronezh Oblast became the subject of a criminal case involving indecent assault. According to the Investigative Committee, the 24-year-old man, a veteran of the war in Ukraine, allegedly attempted to seduce an eighth-grader from his school at his apartment.

Reports of servicemen returning home and committing crimes are not uncommon. According to the Verstka media outlet, 242 people have been killed, and 227 have sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of crimes committed by veterans of the war in Ukraine.

During their service, a significant portion of military personnel experience mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Child psychologist Anna Tomilina told 7x7 that 20–30% of participants in military conflicts may suffer from PTSD. Among those who spend more than 35 days on the frontlines, the likelihood of developing mental disorders rises to 98%.

Although PTSD can be treated by psychiatrists and therapists, many servicemen refuse to seek psychological help. Tomilina attributes this reluctance to a fear of being perceived as weak by others.

Will Authorities Manage to Instill Patriotism Through Frontline Teachers

According to Sirena media, at least 53 school teachers and university professors have faced administrative or criminal charges for their anti-war stance since February 2022. The number of educators who have been fired for refusing to promote state propaganda remains unknown.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, many educational programs have been revised. For instance, the Institute for Strategy of Education Development added chapters such as “Special Military Operation (SMO),” “Falsification of History,” “Resurgence of Nazism,” “Ukrainian Neo-Nazism,” and others to the history curriculum.

Starting September 1, 2023, the Ministry of Education introduced standardized programs for geography, Russian language, history, social science, literature, and life safety. Previously, schools had the flexibility to choose their lesson topics within the framework of the federal state educational standards (FSES). The updated standards now also emphasize the importance of spiritual, patriotic, and personal development for children.

Educator and psychologist Dima Zitser believes that the age of students is a key factor in determining whether attempts to instill patriotism through new subjects and educational standards will succeed. If veterans of the war in Ukraine are teaching middle and high school students (with life safety classes starting only in 8th grade according to the new standards), the chances of propaganda narratives being easily adopted are lower, as teenagers already have a certain worldview. However, elementary school children are much more susceptible to indoctrination, as they tend to trust adults and rely on their values when forming their perceptions of the world.

It is also crucial to note that propaganda extends beyond schools. The state uses a comprehensive approach, integrating patriotic education into other children’s and youth programs. For instance, “Conversations About Important Things” are now conducted in kindergartens, and the state-led youth organization “Movement of the First” regularly organizes meetings for teenagers with war veterans. According to Dima Zitser, when a child is included in this system from kindergarten onward, it becomes much harder for them to resist propaganda even into adulthood.

“The earlier a person is indoctrinated into the system, the longer those beliefs will remain, even if they are later removed from it. Most often, the worldview instilled in a child during kindergarten and later in school stays with them for life,” the expert explained to 7x7.

A similar model of indoctrination was used in Nazi Germany. Research shows that children born in the 1920s and 1930s were three times more likely to express anti-Semitic views than those born earlier or later, and they maintained those beliefs even after the regime collapsed, having been exposed to Hitler's propaganda from childhood. From 1933 to 1945, young Germans were influenced at school, through Hitlerjugend meetings, and via radio, newspapers, and cinema.

“I always tell parents to be vigilant, as indoctrination starts with small things and can take hold quickly,” Dima Zitser added. “Don’t reassure yourself with the thought that ‘my child will slip through propaganda.’ We are now talking about the direct corruption of children, as they are exposed to actual criminals who can teach them nothing good. The only solution is to either transfer your child to another, trusted school or opt for homeschooling.”

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