Militarization of children in the TOT: russian orthodox church scout movement in Crimea
In occupied Crimea, the russian orthodox church (roc) has intensified its efforts to indoctrinate children and youth.
Recently, at the International Children’s Center “Artek” — sanctioned by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council for propagandist activities — the roc held a youth forum called “Istoki.”
The event gathered 160 students from theological academies and seminaries across russia. During the forum, the “Brotherhood of Orthodox Pathfinders” — a roc scouting organization that began operating on the peninsula in 2022 — presented its activities.
▫️ This organization is one of the tools in a wide network of ideological indoctrination aimed at militarizing children. In addition to scouting skills — such as survival in nature, orientation, teamwork, and more — participants are trained in weapons handling, and the brotherhood’s uniforms are often styled after military attire.
The rhetoric of the organization is openly militant: children are taught that “heroic deeds,” “defending the weak,” and “serving the motherland” are inseparably linked to armed struggle. Under the guise of “education and spiritual values,” the kremlin, via the roc, is preparing children for service to the kremlin regime.
Earlier, the Center for Countering Disinformation published an analytical report on the use of the roc as a military tool within russia’s state propaganda system.
