History becomes a weapon in Russia-West rift over Ukraine

Russia's President Vladimir Putin leaves a festive concert marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe, as fireworks explode over Red Square in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2015. REUTERS/Alexei Druzhinin/RIA Novosti/Kremlin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - History has become a weapon in Russia's battle with the West over Ukraine as President Vladimir Putin looks increasingly to the past to whip up patriotism and rally support.

Last month's lavish commemorations of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War Two, several declarations by Putin and new history textbooks have all presented what some independent historians say are slanted or rewritten versions of the past.