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Ukraine war: Russian schoolbook urges teenagers to join the army

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A new Russian school textbook has been introduced under the guise of “Fundamentals of Security and Defence of the Motherland,” replacing a previous subject called “Fundamentals of Safe Living.” This compulsory lesson targets high school students aged 15 to 18 in both Russia and occupied territories in Ukraine. Former soldiers and individuals with pedagogical degrees are being trained to teach this subject, with the curriculum heavily influenced by the Russian government’s agenda.

The textbook, titled “The Russian Army in Defence of the Fatherland,” glorifies Russian military history, including the role of Joseph Stalin and the Soviet victories in World War Two. It also portrays Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 as a “reunification” and justifies the invasion of Ukraine with distorted facts, blaming Ukraine and NATO for initiating conflict.

Furthermore, the textbook propagates misinformation about events such as the destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian casualties during the conflict. It aggressively promotes joining the Russian military, highlighting benefits such as free medical care, insurance, a decent salary, and three meals a day.

Critics argue that this indoctrination through education could lead to more young people joining the military and ultimately being casualties of war. While Russia doesn’t disclose its exact military casualties, it’s estimated that at least 1,240 soldiers under the age of 20 have died in the conflict with Ukraine.

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Russia Enlists Prisoners for Ukraine Invasion Forces

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The Russian defense ministry has reportedly taken over the practice of recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine, assuming the role previously held by the Wagner mercenary group. These units are informally known as Storm-Z, with the letter Z symbolizing Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” against Ukraine and referencing the Russian word “zek” for “inmate.” Similar to Wagner’s prisoner units, Storm-Z detachments are allegedly treated as expendable forces, with little regard for the well-being of their soldiers.

There are suggestions that members of other army units may be sent to Storm-Z detachments as punishment for infractions such as insubordination or drunkenness. Last year, Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, known as “Putin’s chef,” was permitted to recruit from prisons after significant Russian troop casualties in Ukraine. He promised inmates their freedom and expungement of their convictions after six months of service if they survived.

However, Prigozhin later publicly criticized Russia’s top military officials and died in a plane crash along with Wagner’s other commanders. The group has since disappeared from the Ukrainian battlefield, with reports indicating that the defense ministry has taken over the recruitment of inmates for the conflict.

One former Storm-Z member revealed that recruits were promised substantial payments but were sent into battle unprepared and unaware of the true situation on the front line. The Russian military has neither confirmed nor denied the use of convicts in its units, but there are multiple accounts of prisoners being sent to Storm-Z units. These accounts include a confession from the governor of Sevastopol and an interview with a convicted murderer now serving in the Russian military.

The defense ministry in Moscow acknowledged the existence of “storm units” without divulging the identity of their members. These units are tasked with breaking through intricate layers of Ukrainian defenses and are reportedly deployed without due consideration for their survival. A regular soldier who fought alongside Storm-Z members referred to them as mere “meat,” while reports suggest that soldiers from other units can be sent to Storm-Z as a form of punishment.

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