A view of a Russian history textbook for schools with a sign on the cover reads "Russian history. 1945 year - beginning of the 21st century. Grade 11. A basic level", in Tallinn, Estonia, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. In Russia, history has long become a propaganda tool used to advance the Kremlin's political goals. In an effort to rally people around the flag, the authorities have sought to magnify the country's past victories while glossing over the more sordid chapters. A new history textbook released by authorities last year featured a chapter on Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine and described the collapse of the Soviet Union as "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century." (AP Photo)
