Russian newspaper Vedomosti reported today that Russia’s new history books will include a mention of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, even though early versions of the text excluded his name.

The authors did not specify exactly how they have evaluated Khodorkovsky’s role in the modern history of Russia which goes as far as the year 2012, highlighting President Vladimir Putin’s return to power.  It is understood that the books refer to Putin succeeding former President Dimitry Medvedev without referring controversially to his third term in office.

It is also believed that the names of the non Kremlin sanctioned opposition leaders and Just Russia party leaders are omitted from the texts, along with protests on Bolotnaya Square and Sakharov Avenue in 2011.

The history books mention the word ‘opposition’ just once, in relation to the reform of Alexander I back in the 1800s.