In a concerning development reported on February 16th by the press service of the Defense Ministry’s National Resistance Center, Moscow is orchestrating a plan to enlist Ukrainian schoolchildren in the temporarily occupied territories to campaign for Vladimir Putin in the lead-up to the so-called "elections" in Russia.
According to the Center, "The Russian occupation administrations have received directives to mobilize Ukrainian schoolchildren into the campaigning activities during the pseudo-presidential elections in Russia." This move underscores the lengths to which Moscow is prepared to go to ensure a facade of support for Putin's regime, exploiting the innocence of youth for political propaganda.
In a blatant attempt to indoctrinate young minds, the Russian leadership is implementing a program in schools within these occupied regions titled
"My family elects the President. We are for a great Russia." The program's activities involve students in decorating polling stations, fabricating 'ballots', crafting pro-Putin slogans and maps of Russia, and taking part in propaganda-driven shows and the dissemination of symbols, as detailed by the National Resistance Center.
Highlighting the dire situation, the Center warned that all individuals organizing these so-called elections will face repercussions for their involvement and collaboration with the occupation administration. The statement further emphasized that Russia offers no assurances for their safety, treating them merely as tools for Kremlin's objectives.
The controversial Russian Presidential election is scheduled for March 17, 2024, with Putin having declared his candidacy at the close of 2023. Plans to conduct "elections" in the occupied Ukrainian territories span three days – March 15th to 17th, revealing a calculated strategy to manipulate electoral outcomes in favor of Putin.
