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Russia Recruits 1,000 Ukrainian Children into ‘Youth Army’ in Occupied Zaporizhzhia

The Russian occupation authorities have recruited approximately 1,000 children from the temporarily occupied territory of the Zaporizhzhia region into the militarized movement Yunarmiya, according to Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets on February 3.
On July 21, the EU sanctioned Yunarmiya, a Russian Defense Ministry-funded youth group, calling it a "paramilitary organization" spreading war propaganda. The EU cited its use of the "Z" symbol which is linked to Russia’s invasion.
Lubinets also reported that the movement is expanding in the temporarily occupied territories. In 2024, 23 new Yunarmiya branches
were established, and a training center was set up at Melitopol University earlier this year.
On January 4, it was reported that Russia plans on expanding youth militarization through programs like “Movement of the First” and “Warrior.” These initiatives pushing children toward Russian military service.