In occupied regions of Ukraine, including parts of Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, Russia is implementing a systematic campaign to indoctrinate children through military-themed education and propaganda, aiming to erase Ukrainian identity and promote loyalty to Russia.
Indoctrination in Occupied Ukraine: How Russia Attempts to Shape Young Minds
Indoctrination in Occupied Ukraine: How Russia Attempts to Shape Young Minds
A look into the strategies employed by Russia to instill pro-Russian sentiments among children in occupied Ukrainian territories.
In the eastern regions of Ukraine currently occupied by Russia, an insidious campaign is underway to reshape the minds of young citizens. At a nursery school in Luhansk, children can be seen proudly displaying a long black and orange military banner, a symbol of the Russian invasion. In various locations, groups of children enthusiastically chant "I'm Russian" while performing in front of the Russian flag, effectively being groomed to develop an affinity for their occupiers.
In the town of Anthracite, toddlers creatively contribute to the war effort by crafting trench candles and blankets for Russian soldiers. This initiative goes far beyond mere activities; it serves as a facet of a broader agenda aimed at dismantling Ukrainian national identity and fostering hostility against their own homeland.
Consequently, the shortage of Ukrainian educators has catalyzed the Russian government to entice teachers from Russia to settle in occupied territories by offering substantial financial incentives. Children are now being taught in Russian, with a curriculum and textbooks that paint a distorted view of Ukraine, depicting it as a mere Western creation meant to counter Russia's existence.
Prominent in this campaign is the Yunarmia (Youth Army), a military-oriented organization backed by the Russian defense ministry, which recruits children as young as eight. According to Fidail Bikbulatov, a coordinator of Yunarmia in occupied Zaporizhzhia, the group aims to equip children with survival skills for future military service. Both the EU and UK have sanctioned Yunarmia due to its role in the militarization of children in Ukraine.
Accompanying Yunarmia are other organizations, including "Movement of the First Ones" and "Warrior," which focus on military training and patriotic education. Children participate in competitions that enforce militaristic ideals and historical narratives favorable to Russia.
Reports indicate that Ukrainian students are often coerced into participating in events designed to glorify Russia and are made to pledge allegiance to their occupiers. Many children are also taken on trips to Russia, with thousands reportedly not allowed to return, as the Kremlin aims to engrain loyalty to their regime among the youngest demographic.
Despite international treaties prohibiting such activities, Russia continues its efforts unabated. In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for President Putin’s arrest concerning the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. As Russia pursues military objectives, it simultaneously seeks to imprint their ideologies deep into the hearts and minds of young Ukrainians.
