As the school year begins across russia, the russian state is introducing and funding a new military training module. The module is part of a new program called Foundations of Security and Defense of the Motherland for 15 to 18 year olds. The course has 11 modules, requiring 68 teaching hours. The course will cover a range of topics including combined arms combat and small arms familiarization. It is aimed at “forming values, acquiring knowledge and skills that ensure readiness to fulfil the constitutional duty to protect the State,” the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
The program seeks to create and will likely result in a more militarized and security focused society. The new youth strategy which was approved by the government in August 2024 aims at raising the prestige of military service, instilling patriotism and civic duty responsibility, but primarily prepare pre-conscription age teenagers mentally and physically for military service.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Analyzes the Way of Putin’s Niece from Medical Supplies to the Kremlin’s Defense Secretary
There is additionally an increase in the number of summer camps for children which engage in various military activities. The strategy notes that in the last 30 years youth values had shifted from collectivism to individualism and from statism to cosmopolitanism. It claims that the ideological expansionism of russia’s geopolitical competitors had led to the weakening of traditional values and growth of individualism. The new strategy aims to reverse that process, with the militarization of youth as an integral part of that process.
Read more: The UK Defense Intelligence Analyzes Ukrainian attack on the Kursk Khalino Airfield
