Russia has doubled the amount of mandatory military training for children aged 11 to 17, with new courses now including lessons on drones, field exercises, and firearms, according to Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov. The expanded curriculum, known as 'Fundamentals of Homeland Security and Defence', will now incorporate at least 17 hours of basic military training, adding to the existing 34 hours of material.
Curriculum Details
The course requires young students to study Russian military history, civil service, wartime survival, combat skills, firearm handling, and even how to use grenades. The new format could begin as early as September in occupied Crimea, as reported by Kommersant.
Nuclear Defense Training
In 2024, it was revealed that children in Russia were already being trained on how to protect themselves in a nuclear attack. Students learn about 'the combat properties and damaging effects of mass destruction weapons, as well as methods of protection against them'.
Geopolitical Context
The expanded training comes amid heightened tensions between NATO and Russia. Russia recently began construction on a new military base near Finland's eastern border for the first time since the Soviet Union collapsed. Aerial photos show a dozen new barracks under construction after work began in late 2025 to clear nearby forest. The base could accommodate between 4,000 and 6,000 personnel, according to military expert and former Finnish intelligence officer Marko Eklund.
The new base and troop deployment could pose a security issue for Finland, which shares an 830-mile border with Russia. Russia is slowly re-establishing the Leningrad military district for defensive capabilities, but experts suggest it could be used for offensive operations in the future. Russia has been increasing its military presence after Sweden and Finland joined NATO years ago in response to Russian threats following its invasion of Ukraine.
