Russia’s Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov unveiled a textbook titled “History of the Donbas and Novorossiya,” aimed at fifth through seventh graders, at a session of the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum.

The book offers “a unified history connected to the Russian history curriculum” and “objective information, rather than the lies that appeared in Ukrainian textbooks,” Kravtsov said. He did not disclose the textbook’s specific contents. Starting September 1, it will be introduced in all schools in the Ukrainian regions annexed and occupied by Russia.

Kravtsov also presented a new social studies textbook at the forum alongside Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to the Russian president. All Russian schools will begin using the textbook, edited by Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, starting with the new academic year.

Kravtsov described the previous social studies curriculum as “somewhat abstract” and “not sufficiently engaging,” saying the new course is applied in nature. Medinsky added that Medvedev “personally edits the text” of the new textbook by hand. ”[The textbook is] not agitprop at all. It is a real account of the real society we live in, the country and the world,” Medinsky said.

Russia’s Education Ministry had previously announced that social studies would be removed from the eighth-grade curriculum starting September 1. The subject will continue to be taught in grades nine through eleven.

In 2023, Russian authorities introduced updated textbooks on world and Russian history for 10th and 11th graders. Vladimir Medinsky took part in writing the textbooks.