Man Faces 12 Years for Training Teens for Russian Army in Crimea

In Crimea, a man was exposed who, through the organizations he created, trained teenagers to serve in the Russian army. His actions were classified as a violation of the laws and customs of war, for which he faces up to 12 years in prison.

This was reported by the press service of the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Law enforcement officers served a notice of suspicion to the head of the Varyag military-patriotic club, which promotes service in the Russian army among children and youth in the occupied Crimea. He is accused of violating the laws and customs of war under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The investigation established that in December 2017, in Simferopol, the suspect created and headed the Varyag club, which trains teenagers from the age of 14 to serve in the armed forces of the aggressor state. In order to reach a wider range of young people, in 2019 he also headed the Union of Crimean Border Guards, an organization that promotes the militarization of children.

In 2020, he publicly campaigned for joining the Russian army, urging teenagers to join patriotic education centers and educational institutions that prepare a mobilization reserve for the Russian armed forces. For these actions, he faces up to 12 years in prison.

In February, on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula, Russian invaders organized a propaganda event for teenagers aimed at preparing them for mobilization. Students and teachers were forced to attend the event, which featured speeches by Russian military personnel from a unit composed of mobilized and former prisoners.

As of April 2025, there are 260 cadet classes on the peninsula, 63 more than in 2024. In addition, there are 16 Cossack classes, and a total of more than 6,200 children are undergoing military training in schools.

In Simferopol, schoolchildren are also involved in weaving camouflage nets for the Russian military. Children are forced to participate in the collection of humanitarian aid and the production of food for the Russian army.

Анна Бальчінос