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Russia Turns Stolen Ukrainian Children into Tiny Guardsmen in Mariupol Brainwashing Ritual
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
School students in Russian-occupied Mariupol were formally inducted as “guardsmen” during a ceremony marking February 23, according to The Insider on February 23.
The event took place at School No. 26 in Mariupol, where students recited an oath pledging allegiance to Russia. The outlet reported that the ceremony was organized with the participation of representatives of Russia’s National Guard (Rosgvardiya) and the occupation administration of the Mariupol urban district.
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According to The Insider, Rosgvardiya officials presented the students with identification documents confirming their new status as “guardsmen.”
The ceremony also included a religious component described as a “rite of consecration,” during which “Father Rustik blessed the children for faithful service to the Fatherland,” as cited by The Insider from reporting by Komsomolskaya Pravda, which referenced the occupation authorities.
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The event was timed to coincide with February 23 celebrations, a date observed in Russia as Defender of the Fatherland Day. Organizers stated that the ceremony would serve as motivation for the students and mark a step toward adulthood associated with responsibility and “noble goals.”
Rosgvardiya representatives have previously conducted a series of so-called “lessons of courage” in occupied parts of the Donetsk region. During these sessions, students were reportedly shown unmanned aerial vehicles and told about the “exploits” of the Russian army.
Across occupied territories, Russian authorities have introduced Russian educational standards and curricula. Ukrainian language and history have been removed from textbooks, and teachers and parents opposing the changes have reportedly faced pressure.
Earlier, First Lady Olena Zelenska announced that Ukraine has returned 1,859 children who were abducted by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion. Citing Ukraine’s “Children of War” database, the outlet reported that at least 19,546 children have been taken from temporarily occupied territories to Russia or Russian-controlled areas.
Zelenska noted that 42 countries, along with the EU, the Council of Europe and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, have joined the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children under the Bring Kids Back UA initiative.
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-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
