What Is Happening in Kreminna, Luhansk Region
In the Luhansk region, Russian troops are refusing to evacuate children from the town of Kreminna and are instead using them as human shields. The occupation authorities have declined to organize summer health camps for children outside the danger zone. Around a thousand children remain in the Kreminna district, a situation that has caused serious alarm among local residents and human rights advocates.
Oleksiy Kharchenko, head of the Luhansk regional military administration, stated: 'The occupation authorities in Kreminna are refusing to move children out of this frontline town. This is not just about evacuation—it also concerns summer recreational programs. The invaders are using roughly a thousand boys and girls who are still in the area as a human shield to cover the criminal activities of the Russian army.'
Labor Shortage and the Exploitation of Children
Across the temporarily occupied parts of Luhansk, a severe labor crisis has emerged. Out of 3,850 open job positions, only 46 people have applied, highlighting a critical lack of workers. 'Nearly 99% of vacant jobs received no applications at all,' Kharchenko noted.
Despite financial incentives and other benefits offered by Russia, the occupation administration cannot overcome this shortage. The statistics reveal a widespread reluctance among locals to work for structures set up by the occupying regime.
Moreover, Russian forces are using the summer holidays to conduct military training for schoolchildren. In occupied areas of Luhansk, students are being taught tactical and weapons handling skills, drone operation, and some teenagers are even being trained as snipers. These actions have sparked outrage among the local population and the international community, as they violate children's rights and put them in harm's way.
The situation in Kreminna and other occupied districts of Luhansk points to severe human rights violations, especially regarding children. The refusal of Russian authorities to evacuate minors from dangerous zones, along with their military exploitation, has raised concerns globally. These actions could have long-term consequences for the region and its people, underscoring the urgent need for intervention by international organizations. Additionally, the labor crisis in occupied areas reflects a broader socioeconomic decline that only worsens the plight of the local population.
The alarming situation for children in Kreminna is not isolated, as reports indicate that in other occupied regions, young people are being subjected to military training. These children are being coerced into learning skills related to drone operations and even sniper tactics. To understand the broader implications of this disturbing trend, read more about how children in occupied territories are forced into military preparation.