Russia Mobilizes Even Kindergarteners for Military Parade... Militarism Deepens

Marching to the Stadium in Military Uniforms
Textbook Censorship and Intensified Patriotic Education

There has been ongoing controversy over the mobilization of kindergarten children in an event justifying Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Concerns are rising that Russia's militarization is accelerating further.

On the 30th of last month (local time), the Russian independent media outlet Meduza reported that kindergarten children in Yeisk City, Krasnodar Krai, were mobilized for a parade event. The children in this area marched dressed in military uniforms like soldiers.

The parade was held at the local stadium, where parents watched their children march from the stands. Each participating kindergarten reportedly chose the military unit they would represent in the parade themselves.

Military parade of kindergarten children held in Yeisk, Russia
[Image source=Twitter]

Roman Bublyk, the mayor of Yeisk, posted on the Russian social media platform Telegram at the time, saying, "We are descendants of great victors." According to his post, the kindergarten children spent a month preparing for the military parade, learning drill formations and having their parents make their uniforms.

Mayor Bublyk added, "I am happy and proud that this glorious tradition, held for the first time this year, started in Yeisk," and expressed confidence that "the parade can be held annually."

Meanwhile, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year, concerns have been growing that totalitarianism and militarization in Russian society are gradually intensifying.

Censorship has been strengthened, including the enactment of laws punishing those who damage the image of the Russian military, and in schools, textbook censorship and patriotic lessons have become mandatory.

Recently, a Russian student who criticized the Ukraine war during class was investigated following a teacher's report, and the student's father was sentenced to imprisonment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.