Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation to gather and compile data on crimes attributed to the Nazis during the Great Patriotic War and to examine the actions of the current Ukrainian regime in order to shape a stable civilian narrative. The directive was communicated through an official post on the Kremlin website, outlining the government’s intent to inform and influence public understanding in a clear, consolidated way.
The goal is to ensure the careful preparation and distribution of information materials that support a consistent civilian stance within Russian society, with a particular emphasis on engaging younger generations. The stated purpose centers on presenting a well-documented account of crimes associated with Nazi forces and their collaborators in the wartime epoch, alongside an interpretation of events linked to what the leadership labels the Ukrainian regime that emerged following the constitutional upheaval of 2014. The emphasis rests on providing authoritative materials that can be accessed and understood across diverse educational settings and age groups.
Officials indicated that the ministry report should be completed and delivered by the end of June, outlining a structured plan for disseminating the prepared materials. Additionally, the federal government and the all-Russian youth movement were instructed to consider opportunities for collaboration with veterans and education workers to support educational outreach to schoolchildren and university students, with a target completion window by the end of August. The intent appears to blend archival research with contemporary pedagogy to foster a shared historical narrative that resonates with a broad audience in the country.
In tandem with these developments, there was a note about adjusting the celebration calendar for Youth Day, moving the observance from the traditional date of June 27 to the last Saturday in June, aligning with the calendar for the year 2023. The adjustment is described as part of a broader effort to synchronize national commemorations with contemporary civic education and to create space for youth engagement within cultural and educational programs. The overall direction underscores an emphasis on reinforcing collective memory through coordinated government action and coordinated participation from veterans and educational professionals.