How Much Does It Cost to Teach a Child War in Russia?

Even in summer, Russian children don’t get a break from militarization. Alongside state-run camps backed by the Ministry of Defense, dozens of commercial military-patriotic organizations operate across the country. Their promise: an “unforgettable” summer of drill training, hand-to-hand combat, drone piloting, and survival in the wild. The price? Tens of thousands of rubles — for preparing your child for war.

📍 Omsk and 17 other cities Children aged 8 to 17 are invited to dive into the “world of special forces” through a realistic military-tactical program, complete with strict discipline and a gadget-free environment. A 10-day session costs 29,000 rubles (~$360). Each child receives a souvenir “military ID.”

“We provide a model of masculine upbringing. Every child must go through this school of life, where they learn responsibility, discipline, willpower, and unity,” say camp organizers.

📍 Krasnodar, Moscow, and Tver regions Military-sport camps teach schoolchildren how to survive in forests, carry out forced marches, defend a base, and assist the “wounded.” The schedule also includes lectures from war veterans and stories about “Heroes of Russia.” Two weeks in such a camp will cost parents 66,000 rubles (~$840) or more.

“For the spiritual and moral growth of our cadets, the program is built around the life stories of those who dedicated themselves to serving the Motherland,” the camp’s description states.

📍 Moscow region For kids aged 10 to 13, one program offers a summer at a border outpost, where children train to become “professional border patrol officers,” learning basic tactics and military skills. The instructors are all professionals. A 14-day session costs 92,000 rubles (~$1,170).