Faced with massive troop losses in Ukraine, Russia is bringing Soviet-era military education back into schools.
Children learn how to handle and fire Kalashnikovs, they learn first aid and how to act in chemical and nuclear attacks.
Officials are said to be reviving a communist program in response to repeated defeats in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin is recruiting conscripts for his illegal invasion, but the poorly trained troops have failed to turn the tide for Moscow.
Vladimir Putin recruits conscripts for his illegal invasion, but poorly trained troops fail to turn the tide for Moscow
Russia plans to start the training program in September next year, the defense ministry announced, adding that Moscow said no less than 140 hours per academic year should be devoted to it.
The Defense Department said the plan would likely “prepare students with military skills as they approach draft age and increase acceptance for mobilization and recruitment.”
Russia tried to revive training after the 2014 Crimea invasion, but it had little effect on the quality of the conscripts.
The move comes after Putin proposed revoking the passports of non-native Russian citizens critical of the war in Ukraine.
The change is apparently aimed at Ukrainians who received Russian passports during the occupation of Moscow.
Crimes include acts of “discrediting the Russian military”, “spreading false reports” and “participating in the activities of an undesirable organization”.
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