War in Ukraine: Secret Book Clubs for Occupied Children
Ukrainian Children in occupied Territories Risk Safety with Secret book Clubs
Table of Contents
- Ukrainian Children in occupied Territories Risk Safety with Secret book Clubs
- Ukrainian Children in Occupied Territories: Resisting Through Secret Book Clubs
- What are Secret Book Clubs in Occupied Ukraine?
- How Do These Book Clubs Operate?
- What Risks Do Ukrainian Children Face for Participating?
- what is the Impact of Russian Occupation on Ukrainian Education?
- How Has the Russian Occupation Affected Access to Ukrainian Literature?
- What Indoctrination is Occurring in Schools?
- what Activities are Aimed at Ukrainian Children in Occupied territories?
- Summary of Key Issues
published March 23, 2025
In Russian-occupied Ukraine, a clandestine network of book clubs has emerged, organized by Ukrainian children. These young people risk their safety to resist Russian propaganda by reading and discussing banned Ukrainian literature.
According to a report, these book clubs operate under strict conditions. Maria, a 17-year-old (whose name has been changed to protect her identity), and her friends ensure all doors and windows are closed before beginning their discussions. To minimize the risk of detection, the groups never exceed three people.
The report notes that those who continue to use the Ukrainian language are often reported to Russian authorities.
Ukrainian textbooks are recognized as extremist, and storing them can result in a five-year prison sentence. Parents who allow their children to study according to the Ukrainian program online can be deprived of parental rights. there are known cases when adolescents who speak Ukrainian at school were taken to the forest for interrogation,
the report stated.
Beyond the immediate danger, finding books for discussion presents another challenge.Maria said that Russian forces removed and destroyed ukrainian books from several libraries in her city, resulting in the loss of almost 200,000 works on politics, history, and literature.
Maryka, another participant, described the indoctrination occurring in schools:
At school, we are taught not knowledge, but hatred of other Ukrainians. They removed all Ukrainian symbols and hung Putin portraits everywhere. History is all about Great Russia and that others have always attacked it.
The curriculum in occupied territories reportedly defines Ukraine as a secondary, fraternal people within a greater all-Russian identity, united by the Russian language, scientific and cultural achievements, and Russia’s duty to protect itself from enemies.
History textbooks present Ukrainian achievements solely within the context of Russian or Soviet successes, such as participation in World War II or scientific innovations during the Cold War. Stalin’s repressions, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 million Soviet citizens, are described as harsh measures with minimal detail.
The mass starvation of the 1930s is omitted. Russian textbooks claim there was never a separate anti-Ukrainian campaign, and the collapse of the USSR is portrayed as a tragedy that split a gorgeous whole that needs to be restored.
Activities Targeting Ukrainian Children
In Melitopol,located in the Zaporizhzhya region,Russian forces are reportedly preparing Ukrainian children for military service. A performance was organized in one school to award adolescents in military uniforms.
In Mariupol, local schoolchildren were gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the attack on the Crocus City hall concert venue in Moscow. The bombing of the Mariupol drama theater in March 2022, which resulted in the deaths of many Ukrainians, was ignored.
Ukrainian Children in Occupied Territories: Resisting Through Secret Book Clubs
Published March 23, 2025
What are Secret Book Clubs in Occupied Ukraine?
In Russian-occupied Ukraine, Ukrainian children are covertly organizing book clubs to preserve their cultural identity. These clubs provide a space for young people to read and discuss Ukrainian literature that has been banned by the occupying forces.
How Do These Book Clubs Operate?
The clubs function under strict conditions to minimize the risk of detection. Safety measures include:
- Meeting in small groups, often with no more than three members.
- Ensuring all doors and windows are closed during discussions.
- Avoiding public use of the Ukrainian language, as it can lead to being reported to Russian authorities.
What Risks Do Ukrainian Children Face for Participating?
The risks are significant, ranging from legal consequences to physical danger:
- Possession of Ukrainian textbooks can result in a five-year prison sentence.
- Parents who allow their children to study under the Ukrainian program online risk losing parental rights.
- Adolescents speaking Ukrainian at school have been interrogated.
what is the Impact of Russian Occupation on Ukrainian Education?
Russian forces are actively working to rewrite history and undermine the Ukrainian identity within occupied territories.
In schools, the curriculum is revised to promote Russian narratives and values. Key points include:
- The removal of Ukrainian symbols and the display of Putin portraits.
- Teaching that Ukraine is a secondary part of a greater “all-Russian” identity.
- Presenting Ukrainian achievements within the context of Russian or Soviet successes.
- Omitting or downplaying ancient events like the mass starvation of the 1930s.
How Has the Russian Occupation Affected Access to Ukrainian Literature?
Russian forces have systematically removed and destroyed Ukrainian books from libraries. This action aimed to erase Ukrainian culture and historical narratives.
For instance, one city saw the loss of almost 200,000 works on politics, history, and literature due to the destruction of libraries.
What Indoctrination is Occurring in Schools?
Schools are used to promote a pro-Russian narrative, teaching children to view Ukraine as part of a broader Russian identity. The curriculum is designed to:
- Foster hatred toward Ukrainians who do not identify with the Russian narrative.
- Teach a version of history that frames Russia as a benevolent protector and Ukraine as secondary.
- Present the collapse of the USSR as a tragedy.
what Activities are Aimed at Ukrainian Children in Occupied territories?
Beyond educational revisions, Russian forces engage in additional activities, including:
- Preparing Ukrainian children for military service in Melitopol.
- Organizing events to commemorate Russian events, such as the Crocus City Hall attack, while ignoring Ukrainian tragedies, such as the bombing of the Mariupol drama theatre.
Summary of Key Issues
| Issue | Description | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| secret Book Clubs | Ukrainian children reading and discussing banned Ukrainian literature in small, secret groups. | Detection, interrogation, imprisonment. |
| Curriculum Changes | Rewriting history to promote Russian narratives, omitting Ukrainian achievements. | Erosion of Ukrainian identity, indoctrination. |
| Book Destruction | Removal and destruction of Ukrainian books from libraries. | Loss of cultural heritage, limited access to details. |
| military Training | Preparing Ukrainian children for military service in Melitopol. | Forced participation in conflict. |