What children are being prepared for in the “orthodox” camps of the Russian Orthodox Church
russian propaganda boasts about the active involvement of the russian orthodox church in the upbringing of children and adolescents, claiming it instills “traditional spiritual and moral values.”
In reality, under the kremlin’s direction, the russian orthodox church is militarizing children and organizing “young fighter courses” for teenagers.
Currently, there are more than 30 major orthodox military-patriotic camps for children and adolescents operating across russia. Instructors there, including “special military operation veterans”, teach children how to handle weapons and operate drones. Similar camps under the aegis of the roc also exist in belarus.
At these camps, russia’s war against Ukraine is portrayed as a “sacred duty.” Through orthodox youth camps, the russian regime seeks to indoctrinate children and teenagers into a culture of war, raising them on an ideology of hatred.
The Center has previously reported on the key aspects of the russian orthodox church’s military engagement, its ties with russia’s armed forces, and its role in legitimizing the kremlin’s criminal actions.
