Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Russia Integrates Military Training into School Curriculum, Starting Young
Imagine that in Russia, schools are changing how they teach kids.
Instead of just regular subjects like math and reading, they are also teaching them about the army and war.
Starting from a very young age, even in kindergarten, children are learning military drills and patriotic songs.
By the time they are teenagers, they are learning how to handle real weapons like rifles and how to fly drones.
The government is spending a lot more money on these kinds of classes, and soldiers are even coming into classrooms to teach.
They are also changing history books to tell a story that makes Russia seem like the hero and other countries like enemies.
Some people think this is good because it makes kids strong and ready to defend their country.
But others worry that this might make children too focused on fighting and not think for themselves, which could lead to more wars.
Russia is increasingly integrating military training and patriotic propaganda into its school curriculum from preschool to high school.
New mandatory classes, such as 'Foundations of Security and Defense of the Motherland,' include instruction on various firearms and tactical concepts.
Funding for 'patriotic education' has dramatically increased, with significant budget allocated for equipping schools with mock weapons and drone kits.
Active-duty soldiers are being enlisted as teachers, and historical narratives are being rewritten to align with government perspectives on the West and Ukraine.
Critics warn that this militarization risks creating a generation of unquestioning patriots susceptible to warmongering, while supporters see it as essential for national defense.
- Who
- The Russian government, led by President Vladimir Putin, and its Defense Ministry.
- What
- Integrating military-style training, patriotic education, and war-related topics into the national school curriculum, starting from early grades.
- When
- The transformation accelerated after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with significant budget increases and curriculum changes implemented in recent years.
- Where
- Across Russia and in occupied parts of Ukraine.
- Why
- To rear a generation of militarized patriots who recognize the Russian state as the ultimate authority and will unquestioningly answer future calls to fight, aligning with President Putin's long-held ambition for national unity and strength.
Supporters of Enhanced Patriotic Education
Critics of Militarization in Schools
Purpose of Military Training
Supporters of Enhanced Patriotic Education
Prepares a generation of militarized patriots to defend the Motherland and uphold state authority.
Critics of Militarization in Schools
Risks creating a jingoistic, unquestioning generation that perpetuates warmongering and suppresses critical thinking.
Curriculum Content
Supporters of Enhanced Patriotic Education
Focuses on patriotism, military history, basic military skills, and a narrative of Russian strength and historical correctness.
Critics of Militarization in Schools
Includes biased historical narratives portraying the West as an enemy and Ukraine as a stooge, with potentially false claims about biolaboratories and nuclear weapons.
Role of Teachers and Soldiers
Supporters of Enhanced Patriotic Education
Active-duty soldiers and teachers are vital in instilling discipline, patriotism, and military skills, with soldiers often taking on teaching roles.
Critics of Militarization in Schools
Some teachers face criminal charges for refusing to deliver the militarized curriculum or for teaching about alleged Russian troop atrocities, suggesting suppression of alternative viewpoints.
- Funding Increase
- From 42 million USD (3.5 billion rubles) in 2021 to nearly 600 million USD (50 billion rubles) in 2024 for 'patriotic education'.
- New Curriculum Classes
- 'Conversations about Important Things' (for conservative values) and 'Foundations of Security and Defense of the Motherland' (including weapons training).
- Youth Army Membership
- Claimed 1.85 million members aged 8 to 18, integrated into the school system.
- Mandatory Training
- Weapons training is mandatory by eighth grade.
- Equipment Funding
- 4 billion rubles earmarked in 2024 to equip 23,000 schools with model Kalashnikovs, grenades, and drone kits.
- Curriculum in Occupied Ukraine
- New curriculum taught in occupied parts of Ukraine, with destruction of Ukrainian-language books and scrubbing of Ukrainian history.