Forget the ABCs — children in Vladimir Putin’s Russia are learning concerning the AKs.
Distressing footage that emerged this week on Telegram shows an officer in fatigues demonstrating the way to use a Kalashnikov machine gun and an anti-tank grenade launcher to children at Kindergarten No. 31 near Moscow.
In line with the post by “Ostorozhno, novosti” (“Beware the news”), the lesson was delivered by Pavel Firsov, a member of the pro-Kremlin Combat Brotherhood movement.
“The kids from Kindergarten No. 31 ‘were reminded of what qualities distinguish a real defender of the Fatherland,’” the post read.
Firsov can also be described as a “veteran of military operations” with unspecified front-line experience.
In photos released alongside the video, the kids might be seen standing across the weapons on a carpet while Firsov demonstrates their use with the assistance of a female teacher.
The bizarre tutorial comes as Russia struggles to cover for its heavy losses amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Late last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said nearly 65,000 Russian troops have fallen so far, or over 8,000 fatalities for each month of the invasion that began Feb. 24.
Putin’s military conscription, which began last month, is barely adding to the Kremlin’s woes as terrified reservists try to avoid being forced into service. Those that do make it to the front lines reportedly receive little to no military training, leading to widespread casualties.
“The results of mobilization is that untrained guys are thrown to the front line … zinc coffins are already coming,” pro-war Russian blogger Anastasia Kashevarova wrote on Telegram last week.
“Speak to the individuals with the reality and tell them we want help.”
Forget the ABCs — children in Vladimir Putin’s Russia are learning concerning the AKs.
Distressing footage that emerged this week on Telegram shows an officer in fatigues demonstrating the way to use a Kalashnikov machine gun and an anti-tank grenade launcher to children at Kindergarten No. 31 near Moscow.
In line with the post by “Ostorozhno, novosti” (“Beware the news”), the lesson was delivered by Pavel Firsov, a member of the pro-Kremlin Combat Brotherhood movement.
“The kids from Kindergarten No. 31 ‘were reminded of what qualities distinguish a real defender of the Fatherland,’” the post read.
Firsov can also be described as a “veteran of military operations” with unspecified front-line experience.
In photos released alongside the video, the kids might be seen standing across the weapons on a carpet while Firsov demonstrates their use with the assistance of a female teacher.
The bizarre tutorial comes as Russia struggles to cover for its heavy losses amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Late last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said nearly 65,000 Russian troops have fallen so far, or over 8,000 fatalities for each month of the invasion that began Feb. 24.
Putin’s military conscription, which began last month, is barely adding to the Kremlin’s woes as terrified reservists try to avoid being forced into service. Those that do make it to the front lines reportedly receive little to no military training, leading to widespread casualties.
“The results of mobilization is that untrained guys are thrown to the front line … zinc coffins are already coming,” pro-war Russian blogger Anastasia Kashevarova wrote on Telegram last week.
“Speak to the individuals with the reality and tell them we want help.”
