Russia Increasingly Prepares Children in Temporarily Occupied Territories for Potential Combat Roles

Russia’s Yunarmia, or Youth Army, has evolved from a seemingly voluntary program into a mechanism for enlisting Ukrainian children into military service, a recent report suggests. This shift has been observed in occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where Yunarmia was previously portrayed as an extracurricular activity. The program now increasingly prepares children for potential combat roles.

Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group has raised concerns about this transition. Originally intended for recreational activities and competitions, Yunarmia is now used to indoctrinate children with pro-Russian propaganda and military training. This shift includes teaching combat skills and promoting loyalty to Russia, while justifying its aggression against Ukraine.

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has reported that there are currently 11 criminal investigations into the militarization and propaganda involving children in these regions. These investigations have resulted in nine indictments and four convictions. The Russian administration has been issuing Russian passports to Ukrainian children, enrolling them in paramilitary groups, and preparing them for combat. In Crimea alone, around 900 Yunarmia units have been established, involving over 29,000 children. The Russian Ministry of Education has authorized the use of Yunarmia members in military operations against Ukraine.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has recorded approximately 4,000 criminal cases related to crimes against children in the occupied territories. These cases include abductions, forced deportations, and sexual violence. The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has indicated that 54 individuals are suspected of war crimes against children, with 44 cases having been completed and sent to court. Thirty-one individuals have been convicted, with investigations continuing.