Russia moves to brand Ukrainian beliefs as extremism in occupied Zaporizhzhia
Steel coat of arms of Ukraine on Khortytsia Island (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The Russian administration in the Zaporizhzhia region has commissioned a scientific study on the Ukrainian nationalist ideology to declare it extremist, according to the Telegram channel of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
The so-called government of the Zaporizhzhia region ordered the scientific study of the Ukrainian nationalist ideology from the Moscow-based International Business Academy.
This organization also hosts the Folk Art Festival of Indigenous Peoples and a conference titled The Besieged Fortress of Russian Civilization.
Up to 300 people - scientists, educators, and religious figures from the occupied territories 8 are expected to take part in the events.
The project’s implementation has been estimated at 6.6 million rubles (over $78,000).
“This step is yet another stage in the systematic eradication of Ukrainian culture, history, and identity in the occupied territories. Russia is attempting to create a pseudo-scientific foundation for banning everything Ukrainian by labeling it as ‘extremism,’” the Center for Countering Disinformation emphasized.
The Center also noted that instead of restoring infrastructure or helping people, the Russian authorities are spending funds on ideological research and propaganda events.
“This demonstrates the Kremlin’s true priorities: not improving the lives of residents, as propaganda had promised, but enforcing total Russification and control over public consciousness,” the CCD analysts wrote.
Russian propaganda in schools in the temporarily occupied territories (TOT)
Earlier, the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) reported that Russians plan to punish parents in the occupied territories for allowing their children to study online in Ukrainian schools. The Russians are blackmailing parents whose children attend Ukrainian online classes by threatening to deprive them of parental rights. In this way, they are trying to force children to attend Russian schools.
Previously, RBC-Ukraine reported that the Russian authorities in Luhansk and Donetsk are introducing propaganda-filled history textbooks in schools.
According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, these textbooks were prepared under the supervision of Vladimir Medinsky, known as the chief ideologist of Putin’s version of history.
The textbooks impose on students the myth of the eternal connection between the occupied territories and Russia, portraying Ukraine as an enemy. Experts believe this is an attempt to create a generation that thinks within the framework of Russian propaganda and remains loyal to the Kremlin.
