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

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Russia Recruits 1,000 Ukrainian Children into ‘Youth Army’ in Occupied Zaporizhzhia
Children, participants of the All-Russian children's and youth military-patriotic movement "Yunarmiya" on January 27. (Source: Getty Images)

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.

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The Verkhovna Rada is Ukraine’s parliament.