New cases of Russian Orthodox Church being used to militarize children reported in Crimea

This was reported by the NRC on December 20, according to Suspilne.

Children are being given firearms and instructed on how to handle automatic weapons in events that take place directly within churches, with the involvement of clergy. This effectively legitimizes the fusion of church activities with military training, as noted by the National Resistance Center.

According to the NRC, such events are not isolated incidents. Religious institutions are increasingly being utilized as “safe” venues for engaging minors in activities aligned with the interests of Russian security forces.

The clergy often act as intermediaries, alleviating social tensions and presenting military training for children as a form of spiritual and patriotic education. However, safety concerns and age restrictions are deliberately overlooked, as stated in their report.

The Center also highlighted the documented involvement of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in military actions within temporarily occupied territories. This includes collaborations with groups in Crimea and logistics for the front lines, often disguised under chaplaincy activities.

The NRC emphasized that these practices violate fundamental norms of child protection and promote a narrative in which religion is used to justify war and prepare a new generation for participation in military actions.

The situation in Saky marks a new phase in the militarization of civilian life in occupied territories. In this model, the Russian Orthodox Church not only serves an ideological role but also provides the infrastructure for military activities, normalizing the presence of weapons in children's environments.

Involving children in handling weapons within a sacred space shapes the perception of war as a “divine” cause.

Recently, the Center for Countering Disinformation published an analytical report detailing how the ROC is being used as a tool of Russian state propaganda to militarize society, particularly among young people.

Furthermore, the Center previously reported that the ROC has increased its influence on children and youth in Crimea, using educational and spiritual events as means of militarization. Recently, at the government-sanctioned international children's center “Artek,” representatives from the Church introduced a military-oriented scout organization where children are taught how to handle weapons.

Additionally, the National Resistance Center reported that children at Artek in Crimea were compelled to write postcards to Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega, an ally of Putin who has recognized the annexation of Ukrainian territories as part of the Russian Federation.