Pavel Talankin, a Russian primary school teacher who secretly documented the militarization and political indoctrination of young students following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, is now living in exile in Europe under political asylum, Talankin has become the subject of an internationally acclaimed documentary film.
Talankin worked at Primary School No. 1 in the small industrial town of Karabash in Russia’s Ural region. As part of his job, he was responsible for filming school events and activities. According to The Guardian, after the invasion of Ukraine began, Talankin observed significant changes in the school environment, with patriotic ceremonies and pro-government messaging becoming increasingly embedded in daily educational life.
Over more than two years, Talankin used his position to record classroom lessons, assemblies, and official events. The footage reportedly shows young children marching in formation to military music, participating in patriotic programs, and attending events involving representatives of armed groups. State-approved narratives supporting President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s war effort were incorporated into school programming.
Talankin ultimately shared the material with American filmmaker David Borenstein, who directed the documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin. The film has received international recognition, winning a BAFTA award in the documentary category and earning an Academy Award nomination, according to The Guardian.
The secret footage: 2.5 years undercover
The documentary portrays how state messaging increasingly permeated the school system after the invasion. Talankin, who initially filmed events as part of his official duties, began archiving footage privately as he grew concerned about what he described as the transformation of ordinary schoolchildren into participants in state-driven propaganda efforts.
Following the film’s release, Talankin left Russia. According to the report, he feared prosecution under Russia’s expanded laws on treason and dissent. School administrators and officials reportedly denied the film’s legitimacy, and some educators who viewed it allegedly faced pressure to publicly dismiss its contents.
Talankin is now living in exile in Europe under political asylum. Reflecting on the long-term impact on the students he once taught, he said he hopes the film will serve a deeper purpose. “I hope it will help these children in the future to understand that they were the victims of all this,” Talankin says.
The story highlights the growing intersection between state policy and classroom life amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, and the risks faced by individuals who seek to document and expose internal developments.