From Patriotic Education to Militarist Indoctrination—Disciplinary Power and Silent Resistance in Russia after the Onset of the War against Ukraine

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ABSTRACT Since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, various militaristic initiatives have been implemented in Russian schools. This article examines how teachers, pupils, and parents interpret state-driven patriotism amidst the war. Analyzing social media posts from the labor union Alliance of Teachers, employing a Foucauldian understanding of power and resistance, the article highlights that despite the propaganda’s content faltering in reception, informal practices and campaigns surrounding official patriotism serve as a conduit through which the state legitimizes the escalating oppression. The consequent societal atomization adds an element of unpredictability to Russia’s prospects.