“Youth” Committee of Crimea: “Patriotic” Actions on Russian Flag Day and Propaganda for Participation in the So-Called SVO
The occupying authorities in the TOT of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea are massively conducting “patriotic” events tied to Russian state holidays, actively involving children and youth. The purpose of these events is to strengthen control over the population of the TOT and to erase Ukrainian identity.
The actions held on “Russian State Flag Day,” celebrated on August 22, are no exception: public events organized by so-called state bodies, using Russian symbols, are intended to create the impression that Crimea is a “legitimate” part of the Russian Federation. The involvement of Crimean residents, especially young people, in such celebrations promotes their assimilation and fosters a sense of belonging to Russia.
Actions by the “Youth” Committee of Crimea on Russian Flag Day
The so-called State Committee for Youth Policy of the Republic of Crimea launched a large-scale youth poetry online contest from August 1 to August 25, 2024, in honor of Russian State Flag Day, featuring two categories:
- Original works about Russia;
- Recitations of poetry about Russia.
*Note: The “State Committee for Youth Policy of the Republic of Crimea,” created by the Russian occupying authorities in the TOT of Crimea, is an executive body of the “state government of the Republic of Crimea,” responsible for state administration and regulatory oversight in the field of state youth policy in the TOT of Crimea.
Since June 2022, this committee has been headed by Oleksandr Zinchenko, born in 1995, a native of Crimea. His career includes positions such as curator of the “Patriotic Education” direction in the collegial advisory body under the so-called Head of the Republic of Crimea (from 2018 to December 2019); chief consultant of the secretariat of the “United Russia” faction in the so-called State Council of the Republic of Crimea (from July 2020 to August 2021); and deputy head of the secretariat of the “United Russia” faction in the so-called State Council of the Republic of Crimea (from August 2021 to July 2022).
The committee oversees two structures: the Autonomous Non-Commercial Organization “House of Youth” and the State Autonomous Institution of the Republic of Crimea “Resource Center for Volunteer Support in the Field of Safety Culture and Disaster Relief.” These organizations are also involved in the indoctrination of Ukrainian children, promoting ideas supported by the so-called State Committee for Youth Policy of the Republic of Crimea.
In a live broadcast, O. Zinchenko emphasized that the Russian State Flag Day is “important and significant,” and its celebration will include many events across Crimea. Here are just a few of them:
- on the main streets of occupied Simferopol, members of the “Volunteers of Victory” movement, together with employees of the Russian Guard, distributed flags and ribbons in the colors of the tricolor;
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- passports were handed out to children personally by the so-called Head of the Republic of Crimea, S.V. Aksyonov;
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- the Russian flag was unfurled on the streets of cities in the TOT of Crimea, and the Russian national anthem was sung;
- an exhibition was opened, featuring 40 paintings depicting portraits of the wives and children of participants in the so-called SVO, created between April and November 2023;
- in the occupied city of Yevpatoria, a meeting was held between youth and Russia’s “hero” Yury Nimchenko, who shared his story, spoke about “conscious patriotism” among the youth, and expressed love for the “motherland,” meaning Russia.
Propaganda to Encourage Youth Participation in the War Against Ukraine
On the committee’s page on the social network “VKontakte,” at least six posts were published in August alone, promoting joining the Russian Armed Forces on a contract basis and participating in the so-called SVO. Here are some of the messages (translated into Ukrainian) from these posts:
- “Knowing that help is needed, not remaining indifferent, and finding the strength to assist—that’s what distinguishes a defender of the Motherland. Be a true patriot, choose contract service in the Russian Armed Forces”;
- “Contract service: everything is fair. While the soldiers defend their country in the SVO, the state protects their families.” In the accompanying video, a Russian soldier talks about the “advantages” and “benefits” of such service;
- “Participants of the SVO are provided with a wide range of additional federal and regional benefits and guarantees”;
- “We defend the Motherland just as we defend the family! There is nothing more honorable than being a defender of the Motherland. Serving alongside professionals in the military is possible through a contract with the Russian Armed Forces.”
Such activities by the committee are violations of international humanitarian law, as the occupying state does not have the right to recruit citizens living in the occupied territory into its armed forces.
Support for the So-Called SVO and Participation in a Military Game
The Resource Center for Volunteer Support has introduced the “Summer with Benefit” project, and within the “Youth ZOV” direction, young people are involved every Thursday in supporting Russian soldiers participating in the war against Ukraine:
- They weave camouflage nets, make tactical bracelets and stretchers, and produce items on a 3D printer;
- They create “motivational” gifts: sewing “Cheburashkas,” decorating gingerbread, and engraving medallions with words of support.
These activities manipulate the consciousness of children and youth, instilling the idea of the legitimacy of the so-called SVO, the youth’s belonging to Russia, and the duty of every “patriotic” citizen to support Russian soldiers fighting against Ukraine. The aim is to integrate children into Russian ideology, distancing them from their Ukrainian identity.
In the Voronezh region of Russia, the Federal Tactical-Strategic Forum of the Youth Wing of the Popular Front “Rubezh” took place, with participants from the TOT of Crimea. The event was positioned as an “ideal platform for sharing experiences and knowledge,” but in reality, Crimean youth were involved in a militaristic event with all its obligatory attributes: participants wore military uniforms; they learned the basics of tactical medicine; took part in the “Hero’s Race,” and practiced in areas such as assault and sniping, with Russian soldiers serving as instructors.
Thus, the so-called State Committee for Youth Policy of the Republic of Crimea is yet another “state” body through which Russia strengthens its control in the region by manipulating and integrating youth from the TOT of Crimea into Russian society. The “Youth” Committee of Crimea actively and systematically engages in the ideological indoctrination of children and youth, promoting Russian propaganda and advancing narratives that justify Russia’s annexation of Crimea and foster loyalty to Russian authorities.
