Militarization of children from TOT: hundreds of teenagers underwent military training in russia
russia continues to expand the militarization of children in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, turning teenagers into a mobilization resource for future wars.
▫️ In russia’s Volgograd region, at the “Avangard” camp, the first interregional session of this year of the “Time of Young Heroes” program, organized by the “Warrior” military-patriotic center, has been completed. Approximately 900 teenagers aged 14–17 passed through this training program, a significant number of whom were taken by the occupiers from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
▫️ Over two weeks, the children were trained in basic firearms handling, physical training, tactical medicine, assault tactics, and drone operation. All of this was accompanied by intensive ideological indoctrination, including meetings with participants in the war against Ukraine.
The kremlin views residents of the TOT, including minors, solely as a resource for conducting a prolonged war. The preparation of children for participation in combat operations clearly demonstrates this approach. russian authorities are building a system of upbringing based on the cult of war, hatred, and revanchism.
The Center previously reported on the large-scale expansion of the “Avangard” and “Warrior” military-patriotic centers both in russia and in the TOT of Ukraine. It was also reported that the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on russian citizens involved in the militarization of Ukrainian children in the TOT, including individuals linked to the “Warrior” center.
