Books and educational materials donated by Russia’s Russkiy Mir Foundation have entered schools and educational institutions in Serbia and Republika Srpska, prompting renewed debate over Moscow’s cultural and political influence in the Balkans. The donations were reportedly made to institutions where Russian is taught, with equipment and literature distributed to dozens of schools. However, an investigation has raised concerns about the political messages contained in at least some of the donated material.
Among the publications identified is About Russia and Russians, a Russian language book that presents aspects of the country’s modern history in ways that closely reflect Kremlin narratives. The book praises Vladimir Putin’s leadership and describes the 2014 annexation of Crimea as the peninsula’s “return” to Russia, while failing to provide important context about the international rejection of the annexation. The publication was released in 2015, before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but its treatment of recent history has now attracted renewed scrutiny.
The Russkiy Mir Foundation was established by presidential decree in Russia in 2007 and is financed by the Russian state. Its stated purpose is to promote the Russian language and culture internationally, including through cultural centers, educational programs and language initiatives. Critics, however, argue that its activities can extend beyond language promotion and contribute to a broader effort to build sympathy for Russia and its worldview.
Russian Educational Materials Draw Political Scrutiny
The European Parliament has previously identified Russkiy Mir as one of the instruments used by Moscow as part of its broader information and influence efforts. In a 2016 report, Parliament specifically cited the foundation alongside other Russian institutions and media organizations when discussing the Kremlin’s use of cultural and communication networks to influence public opinion and challenge democratic values. The foundation was also targeted by European Union sanctions following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as the EU has repeatedly included individuals and entities involved in spreading or supporting Kremlin narratives in its sanctions framework.
The presence of the books in schools does not automatically mean they are being used as official textbooks. In Serbia, the Institute for the Improvement of Education reportedly said that the publication had not undergone the formal evaluation process required for textbooks. The institute also noted that teachers can use additional literature and teaching materials when they consider them appropriate for particular lessons. That distinction is important because the central issue is not simply whether Russian-language books are available in schools, but how historical and political subjects are presented to students.
In Serbia, the donations reportedly included books and laptops distributed to several schools, while institutions in Republika Srpska also received Russian literature and educational equipment. The activities have continued despite Serbia’s position as an EU candidate and its decision not to join Western sanctions against Moscow. Republika Srpska, meanwhile, has maintained close political and cultural ties with Russia, making education and cultural cooperation another area in which competing geopolitical influences are visible.
The controversy highlights a wider question facing education systems across the Balkans, how should schools balance international cultural cooperation with the need for accurate, independent and evidence based teaching of modern history? Learning a foreign language or studying another country’s culture is not inherently political. The concern arises when educational materials present disputed historical events without sufficient context or portray the policies of a foreign government in an overwhelmingly positive way.
Balancing Cultural Exchange and Independent Education
The debate is particularly sensitive because Russia’s influence efforts have increasingly faced scrutiny since the invasion of Ukraine. The European Union has continued to identify Russian information manipulation and propaganda as part of a broader hybrid threat environment, including through measures introduced in 2026 against entities accused of spreading Kremlin narratives. Against that background, educational materials connected to Russian state backed cultural organizations can attract greater attention even when their stated purpose is language or cultural education.
For schools, the challenge is therefore not simply deciding whether Russian literature should be available, but ensuring that students are able to distinguish cultural education from political messaging. Providing multiple sources, encouraging critical thinking and clearly identifying the purpose and origin of supplementary materials can help students understand contested historical events from more than one perspective. Such an approach allows students to engage with Russian language and culture while maintaining appropriate educational standards.
The controversy over the Russkiy Mir donations ultimately reflects a much larger struggle over influence in the Balkans. Russia continues to use language, culture and educational cooperation as channels for maintaining connections abroad, while Serbia and Republika Srpska remain among the places where those ties have remained particularly strong. The appearance of politically sensitive material in schools shows why transparency and independent educational review matter. Cultural exchange can benefit students, but educational institutions also have a responsibility to ensure that history is taught with context, balance and room for critical discussion.
