Russia aims to double the number of "Yunarmiya" centers in the occupied territories of Ukraine, according to the Center for National Resistance.

Russian invaders in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are planning to significantly increase the number of militaristic groups and cells for children. In particular, the so-called "Yunarmiya" centers are expected to be doubled by the enemy in 2025.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the Center for National Resistance (CNR).

According to the Center, the occupiers intend to double the number of centers resembling the "Russian equivalent of the Hitler Youth" in the currently controlled territories of Ukraine, specifically referring to the "Yunarmiya" centers.

Additionally, the CNR reported that representatives of the occupying "administrations" are also planning to increase the number of representatives from the "Movement of the First" and the network of military centers called "Warrior."

"In this way, the Russians are attempting to take control of the activities of children and teenagers and integrate them into the Russian information space," the Center noted.

Furthermore, the occupiers will be encouraging these participants in militaristic movements to enroll in military academies, so they can later join the Russian army.

"The Center for National Resistance urges people to ignore the enemy's initiatives and, at the same time, provide information about anyone who helps the enemy brainwash children in the TOT (temporarily occupied territories)," the CNR publication states.

It was previously reported that in December, the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, revealed that Russian occupiers had recruited 40 Ukrainian children from Berdyansk in the Zaporizhzhia region into "Yunarmiya."

It is worth noting that "Yunarmiya" is a Russian youth military-patriotic militaristic organization established by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in 2016. Children aged 8 and older are recruited into this organization. Besides Russia, "Yunarmiya" branches exist in Armenia, Tajikistan, the unrecognized Abkhazia, as well as in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

Reports about the recruitment of children into "Yunarmiya" by Russian invaders in the occupied territories first emerged in March 2023.