Russian strike kills 27 near Kyiv as Moscow militarizes schools

A Russian drone strike near Kyiv resulted in at least 27 deaths on Saturday night, according to Bloomberg. The attack targeted a warehouse in the village of Myla, causing significant damage to surrounding buildings, including a care home for elderly individuals and those with disabilities. The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported that over 370 people had been evacuated from the area, with ongoing rescue efforts.

Parallel to this incident, Russia is strengthening its military presence at home. The country is incorporating basic military training into its school curriculum, beginning as early as age 13. This initiative, known as "Fundamentals of Security and Defense of the Motherland," will now dedicate half of its weekly classes to military preparation. The Russian government aims to recruit around 400,000 new soldiers annually, a goal that has proven challenging given the immense losses suffered in Ukraine.

To bolster its recruitment efforts, Russia is tapping into its veteran population, sending them to schools to speak with students about military life. Additionally, state-backed youth programs are expanding combat-style training. Participation in Russia’s revamped military games, Zarnitsa, is expected to surge to 2.5 million children this year, a significant increase from 800,000 in 2024.

The government is investing heavily in "patriotic education," allocating a record 70 billion rubles in 2026, a substantial increase from the 20 times lower figure seen in 2021.

These developments indicate that the war effort is becoming increasingly entrenched within Russian society, despite the continued civilian casualties in Ukraine.