Russian authorities want to send minors to war in Ukraine - intelligence

Due to the lack of manpower to replenish the army, the Kremlin leadership is considering involving minors in the war in Ukraine.

According to Ukrinform, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said this in a post on Facebook.

A respective order "On organizing the involvement of members of the Yunarmiya military-patriotic public movement in conducting a special operation on Ukrainian territory" was signed by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

The order says reports should be prepared on the potential human reserve aged 17-18 to be involved in hostilities. The top military leadership of the Russian Federation must submit proposals for the training of these personnel as soon as possible. Gennady Zhidko, the head of the main military-political department of the Russian Federation, is in charge of monitoring the implementation of the order.

Yunarmiya is a Russian children's and youth military organization under the Russian Ministry of Defense. It is engaged in radical propaganda work among young people in Russia. Children over the age of eight become members of the organization.