Russia has significantly increased the mandatory military training requirements for children between the ages of 11 and 17, introducing new lessons on drones, field exercises, and firearm handling. Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov confirmed that the expanded curriculum is part of the course titled "Fundamentals of Homeland Security and Defence."
Expanded Curriculum Details
The course now includes at least 17 hours of basic military training, adding to the existing 34 hours of material, for a total of 51 hours. Students are required to study Russian military history, civil service, wartime survival, combat skills, firearm handling, and even grenade usage. The new format could begin as early as September in occupied Crimea, according to the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
Nuclear Attack Training Included
In 2024, it was revealed that children in Russia were being trained on how to protect themselves in a nuclear attack. The curriculum includes lessons on "the combat properties and damaging effects of mass destruction weapons, as well as methods of protection against them."
Context of NATO Tensions
The intensified military training comes amid heightened tensions between NATO and Russia. Russia recently began construction on a new military base near Finland’s eastern border for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Aerial photos show a dozen new barracks under construction after work began in late 2025 to clear nearby forest. Military expert and former Finnish intelligence officer Marko Eklund estimated that the base could accommodate between 4,000 and 6,000 personnel.
Security Implications for Finland
The new base and the deployment of troops there could pose a security issue for Finland, which shares an 830-mile border with Russia. Russia has been bolstering its military presence after Sweden and Finland joined NATO in response to Russian threats following its invasion of Ukraine.
