Putin expands youth military programs in Russia and Ukraine
Vladimir Putin is continuing to expand a network of patriotic-military education programs for youth in Russia and occupied Ukraine in anticipation of the upcoming "Year of the Defender of the Fatherland." He has issued four directives.
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggest that the Kremlin is extending programs to promote military service among youth, including in occupied areas of Ukraine, with an eye towards prolonged military engagements in Ukraine and potential future conflicts with Western countries.
The report indicated that Putin is continuing to build a network of so-called youth military-patriotic programs in Russia and occupied Ukraine ahead of the Kremlin's declared "Year of the Defender of the Fatherland" in 2025.
Putin's orders
He has approved a list of four orders. These are:
- the creation and development of a network of "military-sport camps" to promote military service among youth,
- the expansion of the Kremlin's "Roads of Victory" program,
- the creation of an online platform for organizing military-patriotic education programs for Russian youth,
- converting a children's "health camp" to operate year-round.
As reported by the Ukrainian Pravda portal, the "Roads of Victory" program aims to "fostering patriotic feelings in modern children and youth" and offers them free tours of Russian cultural and historical sites.
Experts note that everything points to Russia also expanding its network of camps across the country as part of long-term efforts to grow its armed forces.
