Occupiers train students in military skills and carry out covert mobilization in Mariupol
According to Ukrinform, the Mariupol City Council of Ukraine reported this on Telegram and also published relevant photos from the city.
"In the temporarily occupied city, under the guise of so-called 'patriotic education,' young people are being involved in military training. Children are being taught how to handle weapons, undergo tactical exercises, military drills, and oath-taking ceremonies of allegiance to the Russian Federation… At present, Russia is effectively carrying out covert mobilization of students," the statement says.
It is noted that recently, students of the so-called "Mariupol State University" were required to attend a training session where they learned to shoot and operate in combat conditions.
"Students at occupation-controlled universities have already been offered contracts to serve in the Russian army… At the beginning of 2026, rectors of major Russian universities were given a target: at least 2% of students must sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense," the city council reported.
They also recalled that militarization in Mariupol begins in schools through branches of the "Yunarmiya" movement. From 2019 to 2025 alone, about six thousand Ukrainian children aged 6 to 18 were involved in this movement.
Cases have already been recorded where, after reaching adulthood, children who underwent such training joined the ranks of the Russian armed forces and took part in combat operations against Ukraine.
As reported, in Mariupol children were forced, as part of a "large-scale month-long drawing contest dedicated to Defender of the Fatherland Day," to create drawings for Russian soldiers who "liberated" their city in 2022.
Photo: Mariupol City Council
