Russia – Putin’s teenage soldiers 

Kaskad, a pre-military educational center in Russia, trains children aged 7 to 14 for paramilitary roles, funded by the government. Founded in 1982 during the Soviet Afghan campaign, it was renamed in 1992 and focuses on warfare training.

Education at Kaskad is free and includes after-school sessions five to six times a week for six years, plus month-long summer and winter camps. The curriculum covers martial arts, shooting, military tactics, topography, parachuting, radio operation, engineering, basic medicine, diving, and alpine skills.

Instructors include full-time staff and volunteers, with equipment provided by the Russian army. The program aims to instill discipline, national pride, and military competence, supporting Putin's goal to restore the Russian army's glory and ensure a steady stream of well-prepared recruits.