"Militarization of Schools Is Brainwashing and Propaganda," Critics Say
As Russia continues its war with Ukraine, the country is intensifying its military service propaganda targeting young students, with numerous children's military training camps actively operating.
On the 21st (local time), Russian children undergoing military training along the Don River in southern Russia. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
On the 22nd (local time), major foreign media outlets reported on a Russian military experience camp where even eight-year-old boys are being trained to throw grenades. At a training site along the Don River in southern Russia, 83 children aged 8 to 17 gathered to march under the command of instructors who are veterans of the war in Ukraine. They also practiced crawling with their stomachs to the ground on sandy beaches and in shallow water. The children wore camouflage uniforms and trained with a mix of real and toy weapons.
When asked about the most memorable part of the training, the youngest participant, eight-year-old Ivan Glushenko, immediately replied, "Throwing a grenade." Anton, who is older than Ivan, said, "Why am I here? I want to dedicate my future to military service," and declared, "I will serve my country and remain loyal to my mission until the very end." Some children were reportedly excited and exhilarated after completing the military training.
Foreign media report that Russian authorities believe such training instills healthy patriotism and helps build national resilience damaged by the war. They also note that these military training camps are part of a broader trend of teaching children skills needed for military service.
Instructor Aleksandr Shopin, who was wounded in the war in Ukraine and is currently awaiting surgery, said his own daughter is also participating in the training. "What my daughter enjoys is running as a member of the team and not letting her teammates down," he explained. He said that although his daughter struggled, she felt a sense of accomplishment through the training. "They don't want to spend their time in back alleys," he added. "They are much happier here," emphasizing the importance of patriotic training.
A boy touching a rifle at the 'Flag Day' festival held in Moscow, Russia on the 22nd. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
However, Ne Norma, a children's rights protection group that monitors the militarization of schools and investigates actual conditions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, criticized the situation, stating, "Forcing military-style training on youth and teaching them how to use weapons and build military drones in schools is a form of brainwashing and propaganda."
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