Russians teach schoolchildren to use weapons and operate UAVs

This information comes from the UK Ministry of Defenсe. 

Reportedly, Russian President Vladimir Putin personally conducted an open lesson with 30 students on the first day of school. The topics covered during this lesson included the reunification of Crimea with Russia and the ‘Special Military Operation’ in Ukraine.

Intelligence reports indicate that the Russian Parliament approved a curriculum last year, which includes a subject called ‘Basics of Life Safety.’ This curriculum is designed for high school students and includes basic military training modules, such as handling Kalashnikov assault rifles, using hand grenades, operating drones, and providing first aid on the battlefield. Veterans can also visit students.

According to British intelligence, the new curriculum serves three main purposes: to familiarize students with the Kremlin's rationale behind the 'Special Military Operation,' to instill a combat-oriented mindset in students, and to reduce the training time required for future mobilization and deployment.

“The introduction of UAV operations indicates their evolving importance on the battlefield and the lessons learned about these systems directly from the conflict in Ukraine,” the report concluded.