According to a study conducted by the Institute of Scientific Information for Social Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences (INION), Russia is predominantly portrayed as a colonial state that oppressed the peoples in the annexed territories, causing damage to their culture. The study focused on history textbooks used in countries in the Middle East, post-Soviet East, and China. The researchers argue that these textbooks contribute to a negative perception of Russia among students, which could potentially lead to the development of Russophobia.
Razil Guzaerov, one of the co-authors of the study, emphasized that these textbooks fail to adequately highlight the contributions Russia made to the development of these countries. He further suggested that the West is driven by a "maniacal idea" to erase everything Russian, including its culture and traditions. He claimed that the language of hatred and threats has replaced cooperation and diplomacy on the Western side, leading to open aggression against Russia.
The study's findings add to concerns about the spread of Russophobia and the need to address its consequences. However, it is important to note that the study is based on the analysis of specific textbooks and does not reflect the entire education system of these countries.
