Russia militarizes children from occupied territories through camps disguised as 'patriotic' projects
Photo: militarized camp for children from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories (Getty Images)
The occupation authorities in the Kherson region are sending children to Russia for military training, according to the National Resistance Center.
The occupation administration in the Kherson region has launched another stage of the systematic militarization of children from temporarily occupied territories. A group of 24 teenagers was taken to Volgograd under the cover of an educational project titled "Pride of the Nation. Path of Development."
However, according to the National Resistance Center (CNS), the real purpose of the trip was the forced integration of minors into Russia’s military infrastructure and the formation of a loyal future mobilization reserve.
CNS reports that at the so-called defense and sports camp Avangard, teenagers were trained in drone operations, military specialties, elements of cyber operations, and tactical skills.
"At the same time, they were subjected to an ideological program: visits to Mamayev Kurgan, ‘patriotic’ ceremonies, and museum propaganda of the war. Children are deliberately being conditioned to perceive war as the norm," CNS analysts said.
According to CNS sources, participants were selected through schools and lyceums under administrative pressure. School administrators were given quotas for the number of children, while parents were effectively left without alternatives, as participation was presented as a mandatory recommendation.
Some families were reportedly directly warned of potential problems with payments, social assistance, or school records if they refused to allow their children to participate.
CNS also highlighted the involvement of the occupation-appointed governor of the Kherson region, Volodymyr Saldo, noting that such projects are used as part of his personal propaganda campaign. According to the Center, his office coordinates logistics, lists of children, and cooperation with Russian military-patriotic centers.
Militarization of children in occupied territories
In the Luhansk region, occupiers organized religious services near the front line involving children, aiming to create propaganda footage with military and religious symbols while ignoring the real risks to minors’ lives.
Refusal by children to participate is reportedly recorded by occupation authorities and may lead to consequences for their families, ranging from pressure on parents to problems at school.
Occupiers are establishing cadet classes of Russia’s Investigative Committee in schools in the Kherson region. These cadet programs are designed as a closed educational model following the "school–departmental education–service" principle, emphasizing discipline, hierarchy, and unquestioning obedience rather than the development of critical thinking.
Additionally, reports indicate that schoolchildren in occupied areas are being forced to study information about drones and later assemble them during vocational classes.
