Children Want to Join the 'SVO': In Russia, Schools Prepare the Next Generation of Soldiers - WP.

Putin's Ideological Front: How Russian Teenagers Are Being Groomed for War

After the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an ideological war. His goal is to prepare the young generation of Russians for future conflicts, which he claims are necessary to restore imperial greatness. A report by The Washington Post shows that this goal is being realized, as exemplified by 14-year-old Yegor from Belgorod.

The boy has a Wagner PMC flag in his room, and his walls are adorned with infographics calling for the 'denazification' of Ukraine, military maps, and toy weapons. He wears military-style children's clothing that he received from his soldier father and enthusiastically talks about learning to operate drones at a patriotic camp, one of 200 centers in Russia established by Putin's order.

In 2022, there has been significant militarization of education in Russia. School textbooks have been changed, funding for patriotic organizations has increased, and the Youth Army, a youth organization, has doubled its budget. The idea of educating the youth in Russia resembles Soviet times with mandatory participation from militarized structures and patriotic events.

In schools, such as secondary school No. 2 in Gubkin, students make St. George's ribbons, write letters to soldiers, and their hallways and classrooms are decorated with portraits of those killed in the war. Teachers like Igor Grebyonkin promote the fight against 'Nazism' as a moral mission. Putin is creating an ideologically homogeneous young generation, prepared for war and convinced of the necessity of this conflict.

Earlier, we reported that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin invited many allies to his celebration, but some of them declined to participate in the parade. Photos of those who refused to take part in the event were collected by 'Gvardiya'.

Analysis

The Russian state is actively promoting the ideology of war among the youth, creating conditions for cultivating a generation ready to fight for the country's interests. This strategy not only shifts the views of children and teenagers but also prepares youth for possible future conflicts, creating an ideologically homogeneous society where belief in the necessity of wars erases any doubts.