Russian students threatened with being sent to the front over bad behaviour
An activist reports that a Russian lyceum is threatening rebellious students with being sent to the front. Widespread scepticism and comparisons with the U.S.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Using war as a disciplinary threat in Russian classrooms?
Olga Archibasova, an environmental activist from Altai, reported that at the Soloneshnoe Vocational Lyceum an administrative employee is threatening students with sending them to the "local war" if they misbehave. According to her account, students in grades 9 to 11 —roughly ages 15 to 18— are the target of this intimidation. The report, spread via Telegram, has generated scepticism even among Kremlin critics.
The credibility of the story is fragile. Users commenting on the news themselves call it "theatre" or outright a hoax. It is pointed out that the activist provides no evidence and that the threat has no legal basis: in Russia the mandatory conscription age is 18, and students can defer service if they pursue higher education. In addition, comparisons are drawn with the American practice —abolished since Vietnam— of offering enlistment as an alternative to prison, while stressing that in the Russian case there is no similar formal mechanism for minors.
The truth is that, in a context of prolonged war and rising casualties, any rumour of coercive recruitment finds fertile ground. However, the lack of verifiable sources and the mostly incredulous reaction suggest the report should be taken with a grain of salt. If there were any truth to it, it would mark a qualitative leap in the militarisation of Russian society. For now, it is just another episode in the war of narratives.
Olga Archibasova, an environmental activist from Altai, reported that at the Soloneshnoe Vocational Lyceum an administrative employee is threatening students with sending them to the "local war" if they misbehave. According to her account, students in grades 9 to 11 —roughly ages 15 to 18— are the target of this intimidation. The report, spread via Telegram, has generated scepticism even among Kremlin critics.
The credibility of the story is fragile. Users commenting on the news themselves call it "theatre" or outright a hoax. It is pointed out that the activist provides no evidence and that the threat has no legal basis: in Russia the mandatory conscription age is 18, and students can defer service if they pursue higher education. In addition, comparisons are drawn with the American practice —abolished since Vietnam— of offering enlistment as an alternative to prison, while stressing that in the Russian case there is no similar formal mechanism for minors.
The truth is that, in a context of prolonged war and rising casualties, any rumour of coercive recruitment finds fertile ground. However, the lack of verifiable sources and the mostly incredulous reaction suggest the report should be taken with a grain of salt. If there were any truth to it, it would mark a qualitative leap in the militarisation of Russian society. For now, it is just another episode in the war of narratives.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (15 replies).
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