Belarus Intensifies Militarization of Youth — Schoolchildren to Be Sent to Military-Patriotic Camps

Belarus continues its policy of militarizing children by integrating elements of intensive military training into the school curriculum.

This was reported by the BELPOL.

After analyzing an order from the Education Department of the Mogilev City Executive Committee titled “On the Organization and Conduct of Training Camps and Medical Practicum in 2026,” journalists concluded that the document reflects a systematic approach to the gradual military socialization of adolescents.

The subject “Pre-conscription and Medical Training” has existed in Belarusian schools for quite some time. At the same time, the published document indicates a significant change in its content: instruction is no longer limited to theoretical classroom sessions.

A full-fledged, multi-day military-patriotic camp is organized for students, complete with an approved daily schedule, designated leaders and supervisors, as well as a clear division of responsibilities among dozens of officials. The final stage of the program is a visit to an active military unit. All of this is officially integrated into the educational process.

Despite the camp’s status as a “health camp,” documents consistently use terms such as “training and field exercises,” “military-patriotic focus,” “drill training,” and “military-tactical exercises.”

Formally, all activities take place at a mobile tent-based health camp; however, in practice, it functions as a pre-conscription military training center.

The approved schedule includes drill, military-tactical, physical, and medical training; the study of military history; visits to a military unit; as well as evening roll call and lights out.

A separate appendix is devoted to a visit to military unit No. 72471, where students are introduced to the organization of military service and the unit’s infrastructure.

Thus, elements of military infrastructure are being increasingly integrated into the general education system.

The document treats the presence of weapon models, small-arms equipment, and specialized classrooms as a standard component of school operations.

In late June, it became known that Russia is pressuring Lukashenko in an attempt to draw Belarus deeper into the war against Ukraine and potentially open a new front.