Russia is forcing Ukrainian children to manufacture weapon parts under the guise of voluntary work and become front-line soldiers, Ukraine says.
The international community has accused Russia of committing numerous crimes during its war against Ukraine, including human rights violations, suppression of freedoms, and war crimes.
According to a report published by the National Resistance Center of Ukraine on Friday, the Russian occupying administration in Crimea introduced “military activities” at a Ukrainian school forcing children to “manufacture components for Russian weapons, including drone parts and rapid-charging devices for Kalashnikov rifles.”
The occupying forces were quoted as saying the work was done voluntarily by these children, promoting it as a school program.
The center said spare parts manufactured by students were then sent to Russian military units fighting in Ukraine, forcing the kids to become part of the Russian war effort.
According to a report published by the National Resistance Center of Ukraine on Friday, the Russian occupying administration in Crimea introduced “military activities” at a Ukrainian school forcing children to “manufacture components for Russian weapons, including drone parts and rapid-charging devices for Kalashnikov rifles.”
The occupying forces were quoted as saying the work was done voluntarily by these children, promoting it as a school program.
The center said spare parts manufactured by students were then sent to Russian military units fighting in Ukraine, forcing the kids to become part of the Russian war effort.
“This is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law,” said the National Resistance Center.
Also on Friday, Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne published another report, claiming Russia is sending children from the occupied territory of Crimea to military camps to train them as “Russian soldiers”.
Suspilne gives the example of a Ukrainian 17-year-old girl that was portrayed in promotional materials, encouraging parents to send their children to military camps, after she was declared missing in 2022.
“The girl and other children were sent to the ‘Vanguard’ camp in Volgograd in the summer of 2024,” the report said.
According to The New York Times and NPR, Russia has abducted at least 19,000 Ukrainian children.
Front-line soldiers
Also on Friday, Ukrainian news outlet Suspilne published another report, claiming Russia is sending children from the occupied territory of Crimea to military camps to train them as “Russian soldiers”.
Suspilne gives the example of a Ukrainian 17-year-old girl that was portrayed in promotional materials, encouraging parents to send their children to military camps, after she was declared missing in 2022.
“The girl and other children were sent to the ‘Vanguard’ camp in Volgograd in the summer of 2024,” the report said.
According to The New York Times and NPR, Russia has abducted at least 19,000 Ukrainian children.
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