Camo-Clad Russian Child with Machine Gun Forced to Kill Ukrainians in Video
A disturbing video shows a Russian child in military gear being urged to kill Ukrainians, sparking outrage online.
Russia, Ukraine, Child Soldier, Military, Video
This unsettling footage was shared by Anton Geraschenko, a former aide to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry. While the authenticity of the video hasn’t been confirmed, it’s clear that it’s causing quite a stir. In the video, the boy looks confused as a voice off-camera tells him to learn how to kill Ukrainians, using a derogatory term.
The child responds with a firm “Yes sir!” and is then told to prepare for battle. Other soldiers can be seen crawling through the sand, rifles in hand, as they’re urged to hurry up. The atmosphere is tense, with threats of violence if they don’t comply.
Geraschenko criticized this kind of indoctrination, calling it a sick reflection of Russian society. In Russia, the conscription age is typically 18, but recent changes have allowed older individuals to enlist.
All men aged 18 to 27 are required to serve for a year, but there are some exceptions. However, since the war with Ukraine began, reports suggest that the rules around deferments have tightened, leading to claims of forced conscription in certain areas.
To boost their military ranks, Russia has not only relied on the usual draft but has also sought out reservists and even older men. They’ve even started recruiting from prisons, offering inmates deals for combat tours in exchange for leniency.
This strategy shows just how desperate the Kremlin is to maintain its military presence in Ukraine, despite facing significant challenges.