ROSTOV REGION, Russia (BN24) — Russian children as young as eight years old have been seen handling AK-47 rifles and practicing grenade throwing during a military-style summer camp aimed at grooming the next generation of soldiers loyal to President Vladimir Putin. The camp, held near the Ukrainian border in Russia’s Rostov region, involved rigorous training exercises overseen by combat veterans from Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Around 83 boys and girls, aged between 8 and 17, took part in the week-long activities designed to foster discipline, physical endurance, and military skills. Participants described the experience as both challenging and exciting. Eight-year-old Ivan Glushchenko expressed enthusiasm after learning to throw hand grenades and fire dummy rounds under close supervision. The training included a demanding “route march” along the River Don, where the children crawled across sand and shallow water while clad in camouflage and carrying what appeared to be real assault rifles.
“I nearly died!” said one teenage girl, reflecting the intensity of the march, while her companion revealed they had completed the drill three times during the camp. Another camper, David, spoke about testing his mental and physical limits through the exercises. “It allowed me to find out how strong my willpower is,” he said.
Among the instructors is Alexander Shopin, a wounded veteran of the Ukraine war who is awaiting surgery. Despite his injuries, Shopin brought his middle daughter to participate, emphasizing the camp’s role in forging resilience and camaraderie among youth. “It’s not the first time I’ve taken part in this route march. I like it – to pass my experience to the children. You can see how a family is forged out of them,” he explained. He noted his daughter enjoyed the teamwork aspect, even though the challenges were tough. “To run as part of a team and not let her friends down – this is what she likes,” Shopin added.
This militarized youth camp reflects the Kremlin’s broader strategy to instill patriotism and prepare children for future military service amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine. Vladimir Yanenko, another instructor, stressed the importance of patriotic education as a way to keep youth engaged in productive activities rather than idle street life. “Patriotic training is very important. They don’t want to hang out in back alleyways. It’s much more fun for them here,” he said.
For older participants, the camp is a stepping stone toward a military career. Seventeen-year-old Anton expressed his determination to serve his country and remain loyal to his cause. “Why I am here? It’s because I want to tie my future with military service. To serve my country and be loyal to my cause until the very end,” he said.
As the conflict in Ukraine persists, camps like this highlight how the Russian government is shaping a new generation through military indoctrination and rigorous training from a young age.
