Russian Forces Use Language Centers To Force Assimilation of Ukrainians in Occupied Territories

Russian authorities are set to create centers for the promotion of the Russian language in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as part of a broader cultural assimilation effort.

This initiative, driven by Russian leader Vladimir Putin, aims to further cement Russian influence and diminish local Ukrainian identity.

According to the National Resistance Center, the centers will be established in every school library across the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. These centers, referred to as “Russian language centers,” will focus on teaching the Russian language and culture.

The National Resistance Center notes that this move is in response to Moscow’s failure to fully secure the loyalty of the local population. The centers are also intended to support Russia’s policy of forced assimilation, integrating Ukrainian territories into the so-called “Russian world.”

Earlier, on September 6, 2024, Russian forces in temporary occupied Kherson region conducted raids on homes with school-age children, forcing families to send their children to Russian-controlled schools. Russian authorities, accompanied by armed soldiers, threatened parents with loss of parental rights if they refused to comply. Soldiers also checked electronic devices, searching for Ukrainian educational apps used for distance learning.

In August 2024, Russian authorities in occupied Ukrainian territories increased efforts to enforce the Russian curriculum in schools, with reports of intensified intimidation tactics to ensure attendance. Over the summer, the Russian administration announced expanded “integration” programs targeting youth, focusing on the Russian language and teaching materials to advance broader assimilation policies.