Russia launches child sniper program in occupied Luhansk region
Photo: Russian forces in Luhansk region train child snipers (Getty Images)
Russia has started training child snipers in the occupied Luhansk region. At the Warrior Center, boys and girls learn to shoot accurately at long distances, reports Oleksii Kharchenko, head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration.
Kharchenko said children from occupied areas are being prepared to become snipers.
"In 2025, the military-patriotic education center Warrior launched a new sniper training program," he said.
During summer sessions, boys and girls practice precise long-range shooting.
About 75% of the instructors are veterans who fought in Ukraine.
"Children are being robbed of their future. In a few years, they will be sent to fight," Kharchenko added.
Life under occupation
This summer, reports revealed that Russian forces introduced psychological monitoring of children and teachers in schools in the occupied Kherson region.
Under the pretense of "psychologist sessions," authorities track signs of disloyalty to the occupation regime.
Since taking control, Russia has pushed its narrative. Russian teachers brought to occupied schools and universities teach a version of Russian history.
Last year, Russians held propaganda lessons for schoolchildren.
Besides targeting children, occupiers push to "Russify" adults. Ukrainian TV channels and the internet are blocked. Moscow pressures locals to get Russian passports— those who refuse face increasing punishments.
