Rostov, Sketsa.id – In a striking display of state-led patriotism, dozens of Russian children – some as young as eight – are participating in military-style training exercises, complete with uniforms, replica toys, and in some cases, real weapons.

Under the shouts of military instructors, 83 children aged 8 to 17 took part in a “route march” along the banks of the Don River. The drills saw them alternating between running and crawling on their stomachs through sand and shallow water. Many wore full camouflage uniforms; some carried real firearms, while others held toy replicas.

The training was supervised by soldiers who had seen combat in Ukraine. It is part of a growing trend in Russia to educate even very young children in military skills, officially to prepare them for future service.

When asked what stood out most, 8-year-old Ivan Glushchenko didn’t hesitate: “How we threw grenades and fired blank bullets,” he told Reuters on Sunday.

The children belong to a cadet group led by the Cossack community in the Rostov region, near the border with Ukraine.
For some of the older boys, the motivation was clear. “Why am I here? Because I want to connect my future with military service,” said Anton. “To serve my country and stay true to my purpose to the end.”

Another boy, David, said the challenging march allowed him to “test the limits of my capabilities and see how strong my resolve is.”

But the program has its critics. Independent child rights organizations, like “Ne Norma,” argue that training young children in weapon handling and military drone operations – which is also taught in some schools – is a form of indoctrination and propaganda.

Russian authorities counter that such activities instill healthy patriotism and build national resilience.

Among the instructors in Rostov was Alexander Shopin, a Russian soldier wounded in Ukraine and awaiting surgery. His daughter was among the participants.
“It’s not my first time here – I enjoy passing my experience on to the children. You can see them forming a kind of family,” he said.
He admitted his daughter found it difficult but added, “She enjoyed being part of a team and not letting her friends down.”

After the grueling session, the mood was mixed. One teenage girl exclaimed, “I almost died!” while her friend hugged her and cheered, “We managed to run three times!”

Instructor Vladimir Yanenko defended the program, saying the children gain “understanding and knowledge” from the experience. “Patriotic training is essential,” he stated.
“They’re not hanging out in back alleys. It’s much more rewarding for them here.” (*)