Occupants militarize Crimean youth on the annexed peninsula

In the annexed Crimea, students are involved in military training conducted by Russian militants.

According to the Center for National Resistance, the training is held under the pretext of "grant projects."

"More than 1000 students will undergo 'tactical medicine training'. In reality, the young people are packing first aid kits for Russian terrorists at the front. The"training" is being held under the supervision of militants who fought against Ukraine," the statement said.

In addition, according to the Center, another 800 students are forced to draw "patriotic scenes" in kindergartens in Simferopol: portraits of Putin, army coats of arms, war scenes.

"Direct propaganda and preparation for war from childhood is hidden under the guise of 'volunteering'," the Center noted.

The SLC warns that the occupiers are raising "cannon fodder" from Ukrainian children and that these crimes can be stopped only after the complete de-occupation of Ukraine.

As of April 2025, there are 260 cadet classes in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Over the past academic year, their number increased by 63 - in 2024, there were 197. In addition, there are 16 Cossack classes on the peninsula. In total, 6265 children are undergoing military training in schools. In general, the process of militarization of children in the occupied regions will only accelerate. This is due to the fact that Russia has planned a large-scale campaign aimed at preparing young people for military service. Such practices are already spreading in the occupied territories, particularly in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

In addition, the occupation authorities are actively using schools to force children to join pro-Russian organizations, spreading propaganda and imposing their ideology. In classes taught by occupier-appointed "teachers", children are told about the "heroism" of the Russian army, while discrediting Ukraine and its Defense Forces.

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