Russia Providing Military Training to Children as Young as 8

Darwin, August 24 —Dozens of schoolchildren in southern Russia took part in an adventurous mission along a riverbank this week. But this was no ordinary holiday camp.

Military instructors shouted encouragement as 83 children, aged between 8 and 17, participated in a “route march.” The children ran across the sandy banks and shallow waters of the Don River, at times crawling on their stomachs.

The exercise was supervised by soldiers who had served in the war in Ukraine. It’s part of a growing trend in Russia to prepare children for future military service.

Among the youngest participants was 8-year-old Ivan Glushchenko.

When asked what the most memorable part of the day was, he immediately replied, “When we threw grenades and fired fake bullets.”

The children were part of a cadet group from the Rostov region, organized by the Cossacks. This area is located near the border with Ukraine.

Teenager Anton said, “Why am I here? Because I want to link my future with military service. I want to serve my country and protect my goal to the end.”

Another participant, David, said, “This route march gave me the chance to test my limits. It showed me how strong my willpower is.”

Critics, including the independent child rights organization No Norm, argue that training children in military tactics, teaching them to handle weapons or build combat drones in schools, amounts to brainwashing and propaganda.

Russian authorities, on the other hand, claim such training instills healthy patriotism in children and helps build national stability.

Among the trainers in Rostov was Alexander Shopin, who had been injured in Ukraine and is now awaiting surgery. His middle daughter was one of the participants.

“This isn’t my first route march,” he said. “I enjoy sharing my experience with children. You can see how a kind of family forms among them.”

He added that his daughter enjoyed the event, though it was difficult for her. “She liked running with the team and not letting her teammates down.”

After the training, some children were visibly filled with excitement.

“I almost died!” exclaimed one teenage girl.

“We did the run three times!” her friend said, hugging her.

Instructor Vladimir Yanenko said the children gained “understanding and knowledge” from the experience.

“Patriotic training is very important,” he said. “They no longer want to just wander the neighborhood streets. They find this much more fun.”