**Russia’s Youth Army Surpasses Military Forces of 42 Leading Countries**
In a shocking revelation, Russia has incorporated a staggering 1.8 million children into its military-patriotic movement, Yunarmia (Youth Army), including hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied territories. This number surpasses the combined army size of the European Union and puts Russia’s youth army at a scale that is larger than the military forces of 42 leading countries worldwide.
The recruitment of children into military activities violates international humanitarian law, specifically the Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians during wartime and the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This practice not only endangers the physical and mental well-being of Ukrainian children from occupied regions but also deprives them of their right to protection from violence and exploitation.
**A Systematic Program of Militarization**
Mykola Kuleba, founder of Save Ukraine, a charitable non-profit organization that focuses on returning abducted or displaced children from Russian-occupied territories, has written about the scale of Russia’s militarization efforts. “This is more than the size of armies in 42 leading countries of the world. More than in the EU. Only China has more,” he noted.
Save Ukraine has managed to return 637 children thus far, but the scale of Russia’s program is vast and systematic. Children are being taught military skills such as assembling assault rifles and marching, while also instilling anti-European sentiments and portraying Ukraine as an enemy.
**A State-Sponsored Program to Forcibly Deport Ukrainian Children**
Russia’s youth army operates under the patronage of the Ministry of Defense and has established regional headquarters in Crimea since its occupation in 2014. The program has also expanded throughout Russian-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian intelligence sources have reported that the Kremlin is considering deploying 17-18-year-old Yunarmia members in combat operations due to manpower shortages in its occupation forces. This would mean that thousands of children are being prepared for potential future conflicts, which would be a grave concern for international humanitarian organizations and human rights groups.
**The Human Cost of Russia’s Militarization Efforts**
The situation is even more dire when considering the number of Ukrainian children currently under Russian control – approximately 1.6 million. Many of these children have been forcibly deported from occupied territories, primarily Donetsk and Luhansk, to Russia, where they are subjected to forced adoption, citizenship changes, and re-education programs designed to turn them into loyal Russian citizens.
The Yale Humanitarian Research Lab’s investigation has revealed that since 2022, Russia has orchestrated a systematic program to forcibly deport nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children from occupied territories to Russia. These children have been stripped of their Ukrainian identities and are being prepared for future military service.
**A Young Girl’s Story**
One 18-year-old Ukrainian girl managed to escape Russia on her own after facing intense bullying and propaganda in a Russian school. She continued her Ukrainian studies online and kept in touch with friends back home, determined to maintain her Ukrainian identity. Her story is a testament to the resilience of children in the face of adversity.
**Conclusion**
The scale of Russia’s militarization efforts, particularly its recruitment of children into military activities, raises serious concerns about international humanitarian law and human rights. The systematic program to forcibly deport Ukrainian children from occupied territories to Russia is a grave concern for human rights groups and international organizations.
As the world watches this situation unfold, it is essential to remember that these children are victims of war and should be treated as such. Their rights to protection from violence and exploitation must be respected, and efforts must be made to prevent further militarization of children in conflict zones.
Sources:
* [https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/05/09/russian-childrens-army-larger-than-us-army-and-combined-armies-of-eu-countries/](https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/05/09/russian-childrens-army-larger-than-us-army-and-combined-armies-of-eu-countries/)
