"Yunarmiya" — 8 Years of War Propaganda

On May 28, 2016, the military-patriotic movement "Yunarmiya" was established, proposed for revival by former Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu. Today, 1.5 million children have joined this paramilitary organization, with regional headquarters opened across the country.

The "Yunarmiya" website states that "the movement's activities are aimed at instilling kindness, empathy, conscientiousness, loyalty, dignity, and love for one’s homeland in its members."

However, most of the time, schoolchildren are taught how to shoot weapons, operate drones, engage in hand-to-hand combat, and provide first aid—skills necessary for the military in wartime.

As of 2023, more than a thousand graduates of "Yunarmiya" have become participants in the Special Military Operation (SMO). The movement even has its own "Alley of Memory" dedicated to the fallen Yunarmeytsy in the war in Ukraine.

The "Yunarmiya" units are required to participate in propaganda activities supporting the war: making trench candles, weaving camouflage nets, collecting humanitarian aid, visiting the wounded in hospitals, and gathering wild garlic to send to the combat zone.

The website states that anyone aged 8 to 18 can join "Yunarmiya." However, preschoolers are also drawn into this militaristic organization. Yunarmeytsy regularly visit kindergartens, where they talk about the movement, show weapons, conduct drill training, and demonstrate basic first aid skills.

"All children are the future defenders of our homeland," Yunarmeytsy explain to the kids at the "Teremok" kindergarten.

In dozens of regions, "Yunarmiya" units are being established in preschool institutions: Krasnodar Krai, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Vologda Oblast, Tuva Republic, Voronezh Oblast, Rostov Oblast, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Penza Oblast, Tomsk Oblast, Amur Oblast, Zabaikalsky Krai, and others.

Joining "Yunarmiya" is voluntary; however, there have been cases where the children of military personnel were pressured to join the movement. Students are also promised benefits and extra points when applying to universities.