this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2025
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Despite record declines in oil revenues and a growing budget deficit, the Kremlin has doubled its 2025 funding for Yunarmiya, a Russian youth movement known for promoting military training and ideological indoctrination among teenagers, reported independent Russian outlet Mozhem Obyasnit, citing the organization’s financial documents on April 22.

The group has been allocated $12.3 million (1 billion rubles) this year—the highest amount since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Of that, $9.85 million will come from federal subsidies under the national project Youth and Children, launched by presidential order in 2024 to create “advanced schools” in Russia’s regions.

[...]

Yunarmiya was established in 2016 by then-Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu. According to its official website, the group now includes 1.75 million children and teenagers.

Activities include basic military training, army-style discipline, and patriotic education—including programs conducted in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.

The group has been tasked with instilling what the government calls the “right attitude” toward military service. In 2021, the Russian government set a target to grow Yunarmiya’s ranks to 3.25 million children by 2030.

[...]

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[–] jaybone@lemmy.zip 10 points 8 hours ago

Hitler Youth.

Was a good sign when they started sending kids and the elderly to the front lines.

[–] ArchmageAzor@lemmy.world 7 points 7 hours ago

"Maybe if we put kids on the front line the Ukrainians won't want to fire back."

[–] Valmond@lemmy.world 17 points 10 hours ago

So, how's the three day special military operation going russia? Training child soldiers?

[–] hallunke23@troet.cafe 5 points 8 hours ago (1 children)
[–] beejboytyson@lemmy.world 4 points 7 hours ago

Wasn't this a nazi tatic near the end?

They were called casseroles because they were a mix unripe greens and old meat.

[–] SebaDC@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

I would not call $12M "pouring"... $12M is at best sprinkling.

[–] Hotznplotzn 3 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

This is for training teens and kindergartners for war.

[–] SebaDC@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

Sure. And it's horrible.

But $12M in the current state and inflation is not "pouring", when you compare it to their military budget.

It's a drop compared to their actual cost of propaganda.

[–] neons@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 7 hours ago

12m USD after conversion.

The unconverted sum is 1b or 1'000m Rubel.

[–] atro_city@fedia.io 5 points 9 hours ago (2 children)

Children and teens? Are they that desperate? And what are the parents saying? That's nuts!

[–] the_wiz@feddit.org 4 points 7 hours ago

It has not really be for the current war, but as preparation for the next: If you start basic training at age 12 - 16 (or even younger) and perhaps keep it up until actual conscription starts your average recruit may be directly ready for specialised training after a short refresher.

[–] federalreverse@feddit.org 6 points 9 hours ago

Reality check says every autocracy ever did exactly that. Anyone who grew up in the East Bloc will be able to tell you about their special sports and ideology training.