ShareMilitarization Calendar
June 1 marks International Children’s Day — and the start of summer break. To mark the occasion, we've compiled a Militarization Calendar tracking military and quasi-military holidays “celebrated” in Russian schools, vocational colleges, and kindergartens. These dates were used as pretexts for class sessions, film screenings, museum trips, rallies, concerts, and other extracurricular events outside the standard curriculum.
In just nine academic months, students were subjected to at least 70 such occasions — from Military Intelligence Day to the anniversary of the “Liberation of Mariupol,” from OMON Day to the Stand on the Ugra River. These militarized dates have become routine. In some months, children were forced to “celebrate” 10 to 13 military-related events — nearly one every other day.
Beyond nationwide dates, schools also observe regional military commemorations. For example: In Chuvashia, October 28 is Remembrance Day for Builders of the Sura and Kazan Defense Lines. In Samara region, May 18 is Samara Banner Day. In Kaluga region, January 18 marks the Liberation of Dzerzhinsky District from Nazi Invaders.
Even peaceful, civilian-themed commemorative days are being militarized:
On February 8, Russian Science Day, schools held a dictation titled Science for Victory about Soviet wartime discoveries. On December 5, Volunteer Day, children were forced to weave camouflage nets. On January 13, Russian Press Day turned into Military Correspondent Day.
This is what a school year looks like in a country where children are taught how to fight before they’re taught to read or write.
We’d like to remind everyone: a child has the right not to be a soldier.
