Ten-Day Military Training for Students and Schoolchildren Underway in Bakhchisarai

In Bakhchisarai, a ten-day military training program is ongoing, with 120 schoolchildren and students participating from occupied Crimea, as well as from regions such as Kherson and Russian cities including Moscow, Penza, and Tver. This information was reported by the pro-Russian television channel Krym 24, which is closely covering the details of this training.

The militarization of youth in occupied Crimea is part of exercises called Storm Crimea, which began on March 27 and are set to conclude on April 5. According to the television channel, participants in this training include children as young as 10 years old, which has raised alarms within the international community.

Under the supervision of occupying forces, children and youth are undergoing training in tactical medicine, firearms training, drone management, as well as mountain and parachute training. Additionally, they are learning to drive buggies and acquiring basic diving skills and special physical training. These activities raise serious questions about the future of these young individuals who are subjected to such preparation.

Serhiy Havryliuk, head of the Crimean branch of the Yunarmiya (Young Army) organization, stated in a comment to journalists that such initiatives aim to prepare future conscripts for service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. This indicates a systematic approach to the militarization of youth, which is part of the strategy employed by the Russian authorities.

The Security Service of Ukraine has already gathered evidence against Havryliuk under parts 1 of Article 438 (violation of the laws and customs of war) and 3 of Article 436−2 (justification of armed aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants). Personal sanctions have been imposed against him in Ukraine, the European Union, and Switzerland, highlighting the seriousness of the charges.

On February 6, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine reported that law enforcement officials in Donetsk had identified and announced suspicions against the leaders of the territorial headquarters of the Russian Yunarmiya movement. These individuals have involved approximately 6,000 Ukrainian children aged 6 to 18 in military training from 2019 to 2025, which constitutes a serious violation of international law.

Mykhailo Statsenko, a prosecutor from the Office of the Prosecutor General, emphasized in a comment to Suspilne Krym that the suspects would be tried in absentia. He noted that there are certain challenges in gathering evidence due to the lack of direct access to witnesses, namely the children subjected to militarization. However, there are numerous videos, photographs, and speeches available online that confirm the organization of such criminal activities.

Moreover, there have been documented cases where children who completed such training joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation upon reaching adulthood and participated in combat actions against Ukraine. This raises serious concerns about the safety and future of the youth subjected to this training.

“Yes, they have a strategy for developing the patriotic movement in the Russian Federation, which stipulates that at least 10% of Yunarmiya graduates are to subsequently join the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. This involves propaganda, persuasion, and material incentives. We have established numerous cases where children indeed become adults and enlist in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, participating in combat actions on the enemy's side,” stated Mykhailo Statsenko.

The suspects are accused of committing a war crime as part of an organized group (part 3 of Article 28, part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). They face imprisonment of up to 12 years, underscoring the seriousness of the situation and the need for a response from the international community.