Putin explained why a new history textbook was needed – Kommersant

Russian President Vladimir Putin explained that the country needed a new history textbook because previously there were more than 60 different textbooks, including those with “historical distortions.” He called criticism of the new textbook a normal phenomenon.

“Many textbooks had everything, including actively describing the importance of opening a second front. But almost nothing was said about the significance of the battle for Stalingrad. Of course, we need such a fundamental state version, which should be communicated to everyone who reads this textbook,” Mr. Putin said during the “Results of the Year.”

According to the president, history textbooks should be truthful, and not serve someone else’s interests, “as we did.” “We need some kind of fundamental state version, which should be communicated to all those who read this textbook. Because, as you know, today a child is tomorrow a citizen,” noted the head of state.

Since the new school year, a history textbook for high school with chapters about the special operation has appeared in Russian schools. In particular, the last chapter of the textbook is devoted to the conflict: “Russia today. Special military operation.” It talks about the causes of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the tactics of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and describes short biographies of the participants in the special operation.