Russian Authorities Accused of Spreading Misinformation About Ukrainian Universities in Zaporizhzhia

Russian Occupiers Target Students with Anti-Ukrainian Propaganda in Zaporizhzhia Region

Russian forces occupying parts of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region have launched an information campaign targeting schoolchildren with false narratives about Ukrainian higher education, according to reports from the Yellow Ribbon resistance movement.

The campaign, revealed on October 26, centers around mandatory classroom sessions called “Conversations About What’s Important,” where teachers present deliberately misleading information about Ukrainian universities to high school students.

During these sessions, students are falsely told that Ukrainian universities “teach Russophobia, force people to renounce their faith, beat for speaking Ukrainian, and promote drugs and debauchery,” according to resistance activists who have documented the lessons.

The occupying authorities have also been spreading disinformation claiming that Ukrainian diplomas lack international recognition, despite Ukraine’s educational credentials being widely accepted globally. Another fabrication suggests that graduates with poor academic performance are automatically sent to frontline combat positions.

“The aim of these lessons is to deter children from enrolling in Ukrainian institutions. But, judging by the statistics, this is turning out poorly,” reported the Yellow Ribbon movement, suggesting that the propaganda efforts have not achieved their intended effect of dissuading students from pursuing Ukrainian education.

The campaign represents part of Russia’s broader strategy to sever cultural and institutional ties between occupied territories and the rest of Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russian authorities have attempted to impose Russian educational curricula, language policies, and administrative structures in occupied regions.

The Zaporizhzhia region, partially occupied since the early days of the invasion, has been a particular focus of Russia’s “Russification” efforts. The oblast is strategically important due to its industrial capacity and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, which remains under Russian control despite international concerns about safety and security.

Education has become a key battleground in the conflict, with occupying authorities attempting to rewrite history textbooks, eliminate Ukrainian language instruction, and pressure teachers to adopt Russian educational standards. Many Ukrainian educators in occupied territories have resisted these changes, sometimes at great personal risk.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science has worked to provide alternative educational pathways for students in occupied regions, including online learning opportunities and simplified admission procedures for those who manage to reach government-controlled territory.

International organizations, including UNESCO and UNICEF, have expressed concern about the impact of the conflict on educational rights. The deliberate spread of disinformation about educational institutions may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law, which protects civilian infrastructure, including schools and universities, during armed conflicts.

The Yellow Ribbon movement, which organized in response to Russian occupation, continues to document and expose Russian propaganda tactics in occupied territories. The group has urged residents to critically evaluate information from occupation authorities and to seek verification from multiple sources.

Educational experts note that such disinformation campaigns can have lasting psychological impacts on young people caught in conflict zones, creating confusion and anxiety about their future prospects. Despite these challenges, many students from occupied regions continue to seek ways to connect with Ukrainian educational institutions, demonstrating resilience in the face of occupation.