Story perspectives

Russia Revamps Education, Tightens Control Amid Tech Struggles

10/20/2025

Summary

Story summary

Russia is tightening ideological control of education by revising school textbooks to promote state propaganda focused on the Great Patriotic War.
New patriotic language and literature texts aim to instill loyalty to the government.
The Russian IT sector faces setbacks as the government cancels benefits introduced after Western companies exited in 2022 and reinstates VAT on software, raising costs for small and medium-sized firms and risking Kremlin tech ambitions.

History

Historical Context

During the Great Patriotic War in 1941, the Soviet Union ramped up propaganda to unite citizens against Nazi Germany, utilizing state-controlled media and education. This ideological control echoes historical trends of authoritarian regimes, as seen today in Russia's revision of school curricula. Such tactics threaten the Kremlin's goals for technological independence, particularly impacting the Russian IT sector amid rising costs and reduced benefits.

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Story summary

Russia is tightening ideological control of education by revising school textbooks to promote state propaganda focused on the Great Patriotic War.
New patriotic language and literature texts aim to instill loyalty to the government.
The Russian IT sector faces setbacks as the government cancels benefits introduced after Western companies exited in 2022 and reinstates VAT on software, raising costs for small and medium-sized firms and risking Kremlin tech ambitions.

1 / 2