Russian kids with grenades, rifles train to be next generation of Putin’s military

Baby-faced Russian children as young as 8 have been taught how to throw hand grenades and carry rifles at a bizarre summer camp designed to train up the next generation of Putin’s military.

The twisted exercises, supervised by soldiers who have fought in Russia’s war in Ukraine, saw young children given real rifles or convincing replicas at a camp in the Rostov region, close to the Ukrainian border.

“We threw hand grenades and fired dummy shots,” 8-year-old participant Ivan Glushchenko said excitedly, when asked what his favorite part had been during the camp.

Some 83 children — ages 8-17 — took part in last week’s activities, including a “route march” along the River Don involving running and crawling on their bellies across sand and shallow water while holding weapons.

The camp is part of President Putin’s attempts to indoctrinate even young children to be prepared for eventual military service.

“Why I am here? It’s because I want to tie my future with military service. To serve my country and be loyal to my cause until the very end,” said one of the older boys, Anton.

With Post wires