An investigation revealed that Russian authorities have been involving children in the design and testing of military drones used in the war against Ukraine. This involvement starts with video games that appear innocent but lead to competitions where talented students are recruited by defense companies. The investigation, conducted by an exiled Russian news outlet, highlighted how patriotic education has pushed young people into direct participation in military efforts.

Teenagers reported being involved in modeling components for drones and were aware of the military applications of their projects, although they were encouraged to disguise this purpose as civilian work. One student mentioned a game called Berloga, which involves defending against bees using drones; excelling at this game can provide advantages in school exams.

The competition known as Big Challenges seeks out promising students for recruitment by companies involved in drone production, many of which face international sanctions. Children have also been shown working on larger kamikaze drones at factories, with reports indicating that some have even trained soldiers on drone operations.

Employing minors in military facilities raises serious legal concerns under international conventions. Footage from a documentary showed teenagers assembling drones while their identities were concealed. Despite claims from Moscow that these drones target only military infrastructure, there have been numerous instances where they hit civilian areas.

The use of children in such roles reflects a troubling trend within Russia's approach to its ongoing conflict and highlights the broader implications for youth involvement in warfare.

Original article

Here is an analysis of the article's value to the reader:

Actionable Information: The article does not provide any immediate actions or steps for the reader to take. It does not offer tools or resources that can be directly utilized. Instead, it serves as an informative piece, highlighting a concerning practice involving children in military activities.

Educational Depth: It educates readers about a specific strategy employed by Russian authorities, providing a detailed account of how children are recruited and involved in military drone development. The article explains the process, from the use of video games to the recruitment of talented students, and sheds light on the potential legal and ethical implications.

Personal Relevance: While the topic may not directly impact an individual's daily life, it raises important questions about the involvement of minors in military operations and the potential long-term effects on their well-being and development. It also highlights the broader implications for youth and their role in warfare, which could be relevant to parents, educators, and those concerned with child welfare and rights.

Public Service Function: The article does not serve an immediate public service function by providing warnings, safety advice, or emergency contacts. However, it brings attention to a practice that may violate international conventions and raises awareness about the potential misuse of children in military contexts.

Practicality of Advice: As the article primarily informs about a practice rather than offering advice, the practicality of advice is not applicable in this context.

Long-Term Impact: By revealing this practice, the article may contribute to long-term positive impacts by potentially leading to investigations, policy changes, or increased awareness and protection for children. It highlights a concerning trend that, if addressed, could have lasting benefits for the well-being and rights of minors.

Emotional/Psychological Impact: The article may evoke emotions such as concern, outrage, or empathy for the children involved. It provides a glimpse into a reality that may be distressing, but by doing so, it can also inspire action or support for initiatives that protect children's rights and well-being.

Clickbait or Ad-Driven Words: The article does not employ sensational or misleading language to grab attention. It presents a serious issue in a straightforward manner, focusing on the facts and implications rather than using dramatic or exaggerated language.

In summary, while the article does not provide direct actions or advice, it offers valuable educational depth, raises important personal and societal questions, and contributes to long-term positive impacts by bringing attention to a concerning practice.

The practices described here gravely threaten the moral fabric of families and communities, undermining the very foundations of trust, responsibility, and kinship that have long ensured the survival and prosperity of our people.

By involving children in military endeavors, especially through deceptive means like video games, their natural innocence and curiosity are exploited, leading them away from the path of healthy development and towards a premature and dangerous engagement with warfare. This not only robs parents and extended family of their rightful role in guiding and protecting the young but also forces children into roles that are far beyond their emotional and physical capacity, causing irreparable harm.

The recruitment of teenagers for military drone production, under the guise of innocent gaming and academic competition, is a blatant betrayal of trust. It manipulates the natural desire of youth to excel and be recognized, channeling this energy into a destructive path that benefits only those seeking military advantage. This practice breaks the bond of trust between parents, teachers, and the community, who should be the guardians of the young, and instead turns them into unwitting accomplices in a scheme that endangers their children's well-being and future.

The involvement of children in military facilities and the concealment of their identities in footage further highlights the hypocrisy and contradiction at play. While authorities may claim these drones target only military infrastructure, the reality is that children are being used as tools in a conflict that has resulted in civilian casualties. This not only violates the principles of peaceful conflict resolution but also demonstrates a callous disregard for the lives and safety of the very people these drones are supposedly protecting.

The use of children in warfare also has profound implications for the survival and continuity of the people. It normalizes violence and military engagement, potentially driving birth rates below replacement levels as young people are drawn into a cycle of conflict rather than focusing on the creation and nurturing of new life. This behavior undermines the very essence of community, which is to protect and care for the vulnerable, especially the young and the elderly.

If such practices spread unchecked, the consequences are dire. Families will be torn apart as children are lost to war, either physically or emotionally. The bond between generations will be severed, with elders no longer able to pass on their wisdom and guidance, and young people losing their connection to their heritage and the land. Communities will become fragmented, with trust and responsibility eroded, leading to a society that is weak, vulnerable, and unable to defend itself or its values.

The solution lies in restoring the natural order of family and community, where the young are protected, guided, and nurtured, and the vulnerable are cared for. This requires a return to the fundamental duties of kinship, where personal responsibility and stewardship of the land are prioritized over collective control and forced centralization. Only by upholding these timeless values can we ensure the survival and prosperity of our people and the land we share.

"The investigation, conducted by an exiled Russian news outlet, highlighted how patriotic education has pushed young people into direct participation in military efforts."

This sentence shows a bias towards a negative view of Russia's actions. The use of "exiled" and "patriotic education" suggests a critical perspective. It implies that the news outlet is opposed to the Russian government and its policies, potentially influencing the interpretation of the investigation's findings.

The text evokes a range of emotions, primarily centered around concern, distress, and a sense of moral outrage. These emotions are expressed through the use of descriptive language and the revelation of the disturbing practices employed by Russian authorities.

The text begins by highlighting the insidious nature of the recruitment process, which starts with seemingly innocent video games and leads to direct involvement in military efforts. This gradual progression, from gaming to military participation, is a subtle yet powerful way to evoke a sense of unease and worry. The reader is made aware of the manipulation and exploitation of young minds, which is a disturbing reality.

The mention of 'patriotic education' pushing young people into military roles further emphasizes the emotional manipulation at play. This phrase carries a strong emotional weight, suggesting a sense of coercion and a lack of free will, which is likely to evoke anger and a desire for justice among readers.

The involvement of children in drone design and testing is described in detail, with specific examples of teenagers' experiences. This personalizes the story and adds a layer of emotional depth. The reader is made to feel a sense of protectiveness towards these children, who are being used for military purposes, and a sense of outrage at the adults who are exploiting them.

The text also highlights the legal concerns surrounding the employment of minors in military facilities, which adds a layer of official condemnation to the practices described. This is likely to reinforce the reader's sense of moral outrage and encourage them to view these actions as unacceptable and wrong.

The writer's use of emotional language and descriptive detail is a powerful tool to persuade the reader. By personalizing the story and evoking strong emotions, the writer ensures that the reader is engaged and invested in the issue. The repetition of the word 'children' throughout the text, for instance, serves to emphasize their vulnerability and innocence, which is a powerful way to gain sympathy and support.

The comparison of the video game 'Berloga' to the real-life military applications of drone technology is another persuasive technique. This comparison serves to highlight the stark contrast between the innocent world of gaming and the harsh reality of war, evoking a sense of shock and disbelief.

Overall, the text aims to create a strong emotional response to the issue, steering the reader towards a sense of moral obligation and a desire for action. By evoking emotions such as distress, anger, and protectiveness, the writer effectively persuades the reader to view these practices as unacceptable and to potentially take a stand against them.