Russian Teacher Risks Life to Document Pro-War Propaganda in Schools, Documentary Earns Oscar Nomination

In a small industrial Russian town of Karabash, one teacher risked everything to expose the Kremlin’s efforts to indoctrinate schoolchildren with pro-war propaganda following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Pasha Talankin, feeling trapped in his role as an unwilling participant in Putin’s propaganda machine, secretly documented the troubling educational directives inside his classroom. The footage reveals how Russian authorities systematically implemented a new curriculum designed to glorify the war, denigrate Ukraine, and instill pro-Russian nationalist sentiments in children across the country.

“I felt powerless and guilty,” Talankin explained in the documentary that resulted from his dangerous documentation efforts. “Every day I was forced to teach things I knew were false, to turn children against their neighbors.”

The stakes were extraordinarily high for Talankin. As Putin’s government intensified its crackdown on dissent, with new laws criminalizing any criticism of the military operation, educators found themselves on the front lines of the propaganda effort. Teachers who refused to comply faced dismissal, harassment, and in some cases, criminal prosecution.

Fearing for his safety as the surveillance continued, Talankin eventually made the difficult decision to flee Russia altogether. His journey out of the country was fraught with danger, as authorities increasingly targeted those suspected of opposing the official narrative.

Once safely outside Russia, Talankin collaborated with acclaimed Danish filmmaker David Borenstein to create “Mr. Nobody Against Putin,” a documentary that provides rare, unfiltered insight into how authoritarianism shapes young minds. The film has now received an Oscar nomination, bringing international attention to Russia’s educational propaganda efforts.

The documentary offers a chilling look at the transformation of Russian schools after February 2022. New textbooks were distributed that rewrote history to justify the invasion, referring to it as a “special military operation” to “denazify” Ukraine – terminology that mirrors the Kremlin’s official position. Teachers were required to conduct “patriotic education” sessions where children as young as six were taught to support Russian soldiers and view Ukrainians as enemies.

Education experts note that Russia’s approach represents one of the most comprehensive attempts to militarize education in modern times. Similar tactics have been documented in territories occupied by Russian forces, where Ukrainian textbooks were replaced and teachers forced to adopt the Russian curriculum or face consequences.

“What makes this documentation so valuable is that it shows the machinery of propaganda at work in its most insidious form – targeting children who lack the critical thinking skills to question what they’re being taught,” explained Dr. Elena Volkova, a specialist in educational policy at Columbia University. “These efforts have long-term implications for Russian society.”

The film also captures the psychological toll on educators like Talankin, who found themselves forced to choose between their conscience and their livelihood. Many teachers throughout Russia have been reported to silently resist by downplaying militaristic content or finding subtle ways to present alternative viewpoints.

For his part, Borenstein spent months working with Talankin to shape the raw footage into a coherent narrative that would resonate with international audiences. “This isn’t just a Russian story,” Borenstein said during an interview with Here & Now’s Scott Tong. “It’s about how authoritarian regimes use education as a tool to consolidate power and eliminate critical thinking.”

The Oscar nomination has significantly raised the profile of the documentary, bringing unwanted attention to the Kremlin’s propaganda efforts at a time when Russia seeks to normalize its international standing despite continuing its military actions in Ukraine.

Human rights organizations have praised the film for providing concrete evidence of how the Russian state has weaponized education, noting that such documentation will be crucial for future accountability efforts.

“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” will be broadcast in its entirety following the Oscar ceremony, with public interest expected to be substantial as the conflict in Ukraine continues to evolve and international attention on Russia’s internal policies remains high.