Ukraine Exposes Scheme Militarizing Teens in Crimea: What Children Are Being Trained For

Criminal Operations by Occupation Cells in Crimea

According to Главком: The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has uncovered criminal activities by occupation cells in Crimea, which operate under the guise of public organizations to militarize Ukrainian children. These efforts aim to prepare young men for service in the Russian Federation's navy and for conducting sabotage missions in the Black Sea. The key figure in this case is Oleksandr Dyachenko, who leads the occupation-run 'Union of Border Guards of Crimea' and the 'Varyag Maritime Training Center' in Simferopol. For context, Crimea has been under Russian occupation since 2014, and such programs are part of broader efforts to integrate the region into Russia's military infrastructure.

Dyachenko has enlisted subordinates Daria Gorokhova and Volodymyr Graf to assist in these operations. Training facilities are located in Simferopol, where teenagers are instructed in:

• diving techniques;
• underwater navigation;
• naval sabotage;
• weapons handling;
• obstacle course training.

Graduates of these programs receive 'certificates' that grant them priority admission to Russian military higher education institutions.

Additionally, a new complex is being built near Simferopol that will allow for the training of at least 150 children daily. Dyachenko's activities are funded from Moscow; in early 2023, his organizations received nearly 4.5 million rubles in the form of 'presidential grants.' The occupation administration has also provided free land plots for the construction of shooting ranges to train youth.

The instructors at these bases are career officers from Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU). In response, the SBU has charged Oleksandr Dyachenko, Daria Gorokhova, and Volodymyr Graf in absentia. The charges fall under several articles of Ukraine's Criminal Code: Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 3 of Article 436-2, concerning the justification of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, as well as Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 1 of Article 438, covering war crimes-specifically, violations of the laws and customs of war by involving civilians, including minors, in armed conflict.

The Serious Threat of Youth Militarization

The discovery of these youth militarization efforts in Crimea underscores the grave threat facing Ukrainian society under occupation. Recruiting teenagers into military programs is part of Russia's strategy to cultivate a generation loyal to the occupation regime. These developments highlight the need for international attention to the situation in Crimea and for protecting children's rights, as they become victims of military propaganda.

Moreover, the SBU's actions demonstrate an intensification of efforts to combat the illegal activities of the occupation administration, which is crucial for upholding law and order and security in Ukraine.

The alarming trend of militarizing youth is not limited to Crimea. Recently, the Ukrainian Security Service thwarted a scheme where teenagers were recruited online for potential attacks on schools, highlighting the ongoing threats to children in conflict zones. Such incidents underline the urgency of addressing the exploitation of young people in military agendas. For more details on this disturbing development, read about the online recruitment of teens for violent acts that was prevented by the SBU.