Russian Propaganda in Crimea Accused of Radicalizing Children into War Efforts

Russian indoctrination has turned hundreds of Crimean children into war casualties, according to a prominent human rights advocate from the region. These young victims of extensive propaganda campaigns have become combatants against Ukraine, with many losing their lives in the ongoing conflict.

Eskender Bariiev, Chairman of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center and member of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, revealed that at least 318 Crimeans who fell victim to Russian indoctrination and militarization have been killed by Ukrainian forces after participating in the war against Ukraine.

During a recent presentation of his organization’s research findings, Bariiev outlined the criminal activities of Russian occupation authorities in Crimea and potential countermeasures. His report provides some of the first concrete data on the consequences of child militarization in occupied territories, a problem frequently discussed but rarely quantified.

“For almost twelve years, Russia has been systematically building loyalty among Crimeans,” Bariiev explained. “The millions of rubles invested in propaganda have yielded significant results for the occupiers.”

According to Bariiev, the victims of this propaganda campaign follow one of two paths: they either completely embrace Russian ideology and lose critical thinking abilities, becoming what he described as “cannon fodder” for Russia’s imperial ambitions, or they resist and become targets of the occupation regime.

The total death toll of Crimeans fighting against Ukraine is even higher than the figure for young people. Bariiev stated that over 1,800 Crimean residents who took up arms against Ukraine have been killed by Ukrainian forces since the beginning of the conflict.

To counter Russian recruitment efforts, Bariiev’s organization launched an information campaign called “Grave Digging.” This initiative aims to inform Crimeans that participation in what Russia calls “svoboda” (freedom) constitutes a war crime. The campaign also provides guidance on avoiding mobilization and highlights the dangers of service in the Russian military.

Despite these efforts, Bariiev noted that the situation grows more challenging with each passing year of occupation. “The generation born in Ukrainian Crimea is shrinking, while those who have grown up during the occupation have been heavily influenced by Russian propaganda and militarization programs,” he said.

The human rights activist emphasized that most peninsula residents have actively tried to avoid participating in the war, but the pressure on the population continues to increase.

Russia’s propaganda efforts targeting Crimean youth appear to be intensifying. According to Bariiev, Moscow significantly increased funding for summer recreation programs in occupied Crimea last year. What were once ordinary children’s camps have effectively been transformed into centers for propaganda and military training.

This systematic militarization of youth represents a concerning strategy in Russia’s broader occupation policies. By targeting children and teenagers, occupation authorities are cultivating a new generation of supporters while simultaneously creating a pool of potential combatants for the ongoing conflict.

The situation in Crimea highlights the human cost of propaganda and indoctrination in occupied territories, particularly when young people become targets. As the occupation enters its twelfth year, the long-term consequences of these policies continue to unfold, with tragic results for many families across the peninsula.

International human rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about the militarization of education in Russian-occupied territories, but Bariiev’s report provides rare insight into the concrete human toll of these practices.