Tiraspol intends to introduce Russian history textbooks in Ukrainian-language schools in the Transnistrian region. According to the Promo-LEX association, the textbooks, developed with the participation of Vladimir Medinsky, advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, promote propagandistic narratives of the Russian Federation about the war against Ukraine.
In the report on the developments in the region during the period of July-September 2026, Promo-LEX qualifies as worrying the intention to introduce these manuals and mentions that Medinski is sanctioned by the European Union for his role in Russian governmental propaganda.
The report also highlights the frequent involvement of Ukrainian ethnicity students in propaganda and “patriotic” and militarized education activities, which promote loyalty to the occupation regime and the so-called “Transnistrian identity”, writes IPN. In the academic year 2025-2026, 423 students were studying in the three Ukrainian language schools in Tiraspol, Râbnița, and Bender.
At the same time, against the backdrop of a staff shortage, students and graduates of higher education institutions are subjected to pressure to undergo military training and sign long-term contracts with the so-called Ministry of Defense from Tiraspol. According to Promo-LEX, young people who refuse risk reprisals, including unlawful deprivation of liberty.
The report also shows that schools teaching in Romanian are enjoying increasing interest in the region, however, students, parents, and teachers continue to be subjected to pressures. Among these are the promotion of narratives about “falsifying history” and “rehabilitating Nazism”.
In this context, Promo-LEX emphasizes that supporting schools with Romanian language instruction, including by expanding schooling capacity and facilitating the integration of non-native speaking children, must remain a priority of reintegration policies.