Putin expands youth military programs amid rising tensions
Vladimir Putin is expanding the 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 orders to support this effort.
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) report that the Kremlin is broadening its program to promote military service among the youth. This initiative includes efforts in the occupied territory of Ukraine, with a focus on sustaining long-term military operations in Ukraine and preparing for potential future conflicts with Western countries.
The report highlights that Putin is continuing to develop a network of youth military-patriotic programs in Russia and the occupied territories of Ukraine as part of the "Year of the Defender of the Fatherland" planned for 2025.
Putin's orders
Putin has approved a list of four initiatives:
- The creation and development of a network of "military-sport camps" to promote military service among the 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,
- The conversion of a children's "health camp" to year-round operations.
According to the Ukrainian Pravda portal, the "Roads of Victory" program aims to "foster patriotic feelings in modern children and youth" and provides them with free tours of Russian cultural and historical sites.
Experts suggest that Russia appears to be expanding its network of camps across the country as part of long-term efforts to strengthen its armed forces.
