Children as young as 7 participate in drone-piloting championship in occupied Luhansk
A regional stage of a Russian drone-piloting championship was held in the occupied city of Luhansk, with children aged 7 to 18 taking part. Ukraine's Luhansk regional administration says the competitions are being used to militarize young people and familiarize them with drone technologies and skills used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Key points
- A regional stage of a Russian drone-piloting championship was held in occupied Luhansk.
- Children aged 7 to 18 participated in the competitions.
- Participants were taught drone technologies and piloting skills used by the Russian military in its war against Ukraine.
- The Luhansk regional administration says the occupiers are using sport to militarize young people on occupied territory.
- The regional administration also accused Western countries of contributing to the militarization of youth on occupied territories.
Why it matters
The participation of children as young as seven introduces them to drone technology and piloting skills applicable to Russia's war against Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities characterize the championships as a form of militarizing young people in occupied territories.
What happened
A regional stage of a Russian drone-piloting championship took place in the occupied city of Luhansk. Participants included children aged 7 to 18, who were introduced to drone technologies and control techniques used by the Russian army during the war against Ukraine. The Luhansk regional administration said the occupiers were continuing to militarize young people under the guise of sport.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian sources emphasize the participation of children aged 7 to 18 and view the competitions as part of the militarization of young people on occupied territories. They also connect the drone-piloting skills taught at the event with technologies used by the Russian military against Ukraine.