russia allocates 477 million dollars for russification, militarization of children in 2024

russia has earmarked USD 477 million in 2024 for what it calls “patriotic education” programs targeting children, including efforts to erode the national identity of Ukrainian youth in occupied territories. This represents a nearly tenfold increase compared to 2022.

The figures were presented at a press conference titled “Childhood in Captivity: How to Protect the Rights of Children under Occupation,” held at Media Center Ukraine.

“Substantial resources are being channeled into this system. In 2024, the russian federation’s budget for ‘patriotic’ child-rearing programs exceeds 477 million dollars, almost ten times the allocation in 2022,” speakers at the event highlighted.

The initiative, which operates through formal and informal education systems as well as youth organizations, involves a range of actors promoting these programs.

Tactics employed to undermine Ukrainian identity in the occupied territories include eliminating Ukrainian studies from the curriculum, indoctrinating children with pro-russian narratives, fostering militarization, and glorifying war culture.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news