June 1 is arguably the most peaceful day on the calendar: International Children's Day. The first day of summer vacation. A day usually associated with concerts, games, ice cream, and the carefree beginning of summer.
But in many parts of Russia, even this day became an occasion to bring war to children.
On Sakhalin, Children's Day was rebranded as “Defender of Children Day,” and a “Lesson of Courage” was held. Veterans of the war against Ukraine showed children body armor, hand grenades, and “trophies” brought back from the battlefield. In the Republic of Tuva, a Children's Day event took place at a shooting range alongside a prosecutor's office employee and a war participant.
In Altai Krai, schoolchildren were introduced to military equipment and learned basic first aid skills. In Orenburg Oblast, “in honor of the kindest holiday of the year,” boys were taught how to assemble and disassemble real assault rifles, “mastering important skills.” In Pskov Oblast, veterans of the war against Ukraine organized a “Day with a Hero” event for children living in a shelter.
“The children saw real soldiers with their own eyes and learned what honor, courage, and comradeship mean”, — Committee of Families of Warriors of the Fatherland, Pskov Oblast.
Even where there were no rifles or grenades, the holiday was still used to promote support for the war and assistance to the military.
In Ivanovo Oblast, a participant in the war against Ukraine was invited as a guest of honor to the region's main children's festival, while children made portable hygiene kits for soldiers. In Irkutsk Oblast, schoolchildren and their parents collected humanitarian aid for wounded servicemen.
“Today, on Children's Day, we speak about what matters most. To protect means to safeguard a peaceful sky above us, and our warriors are the main defenders of that future!”, — Navigators of Childhood, Irkutsk.
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n Primorsky Krai, children from social care institutions were taken to a military hospital to perform for soldiers wounded in the war against Ukraine. After the concert, they presented gifts and souvenirs to the servicemen.
“Who deserves our deepest gratitude more than the warriors who ensure that our children grow up under peaceful skies?”, — Albatros Social Rehabilitation Center.
The first day of summer vacation in school camps also began not with games and recreation.
In Rostov Oblast, a Young Army cadet camp opened, where children immediately started learning how to assemble and disassemble assault rifles. In Samara Oblast, children attending a school camp were taught how to respond to drone attacks and missile threats.
In Ryazan Oblast, primary school students were sent to weave camouflage nets for the army. In Tambov Oblast, children from school camps were taken to an exhibition displaying the personal belongings of soldiers killed in the war against Ukraine.
“By protecting the younger generation, we will build a prosperous future for Russia. The sincere attention, love, and care we give to children today will undoubtedly be transformed into future achievements for our country”, — Zherdevka Secondary School No. 2
Particularly revealing was a post by the Chelyabinsk “SMO Museum,” which congratulated its followers on Children's Day with a photograph of a small child wearing a military helmet.
A holiday originally intended to remind society of children's rights to safety, a happy childhood, and protection from violence has increasingly become, in contemporary Russia, another occasion to tell children about war, show them weapons, or involve them in supporting the front.
