Children in occupied Crimea forced to assemble drones and weave camouflage nets

Source: Ukraine’s Center for National Resistance (CNR)

Russian-led officials have turned the Artek children’s recreational center in Crimea into a propaganda-driven “volunteer” hub where children are urged and taught to assist the Russian military.

The young visitors are reportedly required to assemble drones, weave camouflage nets, make trench candles, and fundraise for medical supplies that later go to Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.

“Recently, Artek campers even harvested 223 kilograms of olives to send to the occupying army,” the CNR wrote in its latest report.

Children at the camp are reportedly even forced to complete mandatory work hours—at least six hours weekly, which is part of state-run program that helps produce goods for the Russian military.

Similar practices are observed across other occupied territories of Ukraine, where occupational officials urge both adults and children to support Russian forces.

The CNR argues that the ultimate goal of such programs is sway opinions of locals in favor of Russia’s policies and foster loyalty among younger generations toward its occupational troops.

Another disturbing example is so-called “interethnic friendship lessons” that see  children making postcards supporting North Korea.