Russia opens a military center for schoolchildren in annexed Sevastopol
The Russian military has opened a center in Sevastopol where they will teach schoolchildren how to handle weapons, reports news website Krym.Realii.
According to the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense "the military-patriotic center was established in accordance with the Ministry’s decision" on the base of the city’s House of Officers. The center was named the “House of Unarmia (the Youth Army)”.
“Schoolchildren of Sevastopol, who joined the Unarmia movement, will receive the basic practical military training under the guidance of experienced military instructors within the walls of the newly-created military-patriotic facility," the message reads.
The Russian military claim that "young patriots will practice to assemble and disassembl the Kalashnikov AK-74 machine guns and will receive physical training to meet the basic requirements." Also, during the classes on radiation, chemical and biological protection, schoolchildren were taught to equip themselves in a military protective suits and gas masks in the shortest possible time. The Russian military intends to teach children how to provide first aid and transport the wounded.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, more than 500 Sevastopol schoolchildren have already joined the Unarmia movement.
Ukrainian human rights activists drew the attention to the paramilitary format of school education in the annexed Crimea.