Movement \u00abYoung Army\u00bb has been compared with Hitler\u2019s \u00abHitlerjugend\u00bb. It has been founded upon initiative of Russian Minister of Defense Shoigu and blessing of Putin in 2016. Its founders are All-Russian organization of veterans of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and DOSAAF (Volunteer Society for Cooperation with the Army, Aviation and Navy). \u00abYoung Army\u00bb is the main instrument for militarization and military training of children in Russia. There are one million three hundred thousand members of \u00abYoung Army\u00bb. They are taught to fight and are planned to be involved into liquidation of emergency situations. The main attribute of \u00abYoung Army\u00bb is red cap. <\/span><\/p>\n Training of Crimean members of \u00abYoung Army\u00bb in occupied Simferopol. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n Headquarters of \u00abYoung Army\u00bb have been set up in all regions of the Russian Federation. At the beginning its office in occupied Crimea has been headed by <\/span>Oleg Mykolayovych Kryvoruchenko<\/b>. Before the Russian occupation of Crimea, he has been known as blacksmith and author of metal sculptures. In 2014, he has headed the 11<\/span>th<\/span> company of illegal military unit \u00abSelf-Defense of Crimea\u00bb. He died in December 2020, as the Center of Journalist Investigations <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Oleg Kryvoruchenko, the commander of company of illegal military unit \u00abSelf-Defense of Crimea\u00bb. Photo: zmina.info<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n 46 years old <\/span>Sergii Oleksiyovych Gavrylchuk<\/b> is current head of Crimean \u00abYoung Army\u00bb. He is also head of DOSAAF office in Simferopol district, teacher of sports in school # 1 in Gvardiiske village and \u00abmember\u00bb of village council of Gvardiiske from Russian political party \u00abUnited Russia\u00bb.<\/span><\/p>\n In December 2023, the European Union, Switzerland and Ukraine <\/span>imposed sanctions<\/span><\/a> on Sergii Gavrylchuk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sergii Gavrylchuk, head of Crimean office of \u00abYoung Army\u00bb. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n Sevastopol regional office of \u00abYoung Army\u00bb has been headed by 62 years old Reserve First Rank Captain <\/span>Kovalenko Volodymyr Vladyslavovych<\/b>. He was born in Luhansk. He received budgetary money for \u00abYoung Army\u00bb as well as money from Putin\u2019s Fund of presidential grants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2023, Sevastopol \u00abYoung Army\u00bb received over 2 million Rubles for its project \u00abYouth educational marathon \u00abKnow how to rescue\u00bb. As project description said, teenagers and students would be taught how to deliver first medical aid during \u00abpossible emergency situations\u00bb in Sevastopol as well as in other Russian regions, including so-called Donetsk People\u2019s Republic, Luhansk People\u2019s Republic, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions\u00bb.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00abYoung Army\u00bb of occupied Sevastopol. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div> \u00abYoung Army\u00bb of occupied Sevastopol. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n Volodymyr Kovalenko has been also the director of Sevastopol \u00abSchool of future commanders\u00bb. In 2023, this organization received grant for its project \u00abSymbols of state \u2013 through centuries\u00bb.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00abSchool\u00bb spent 1.6 million Rubles to make 14 meters long flag of Russia and demonstrate it in Crimea. <\/span><\/p>\n Public event \u00abSymbols of State\u00bb. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n In 2024, \u00abSchool of young commanders\u00bb received almost three million Rubles from Putin\u2019s Fund for its project \u00abUnder flag of great state\u00bb. Children will be taught history and victories of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. It is interesting what their \u00abteachers\u00bb will tell about rapid destruction of Black Sea Fleet by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including missile cruiser \u00abMoscow\u00bb. There will be also practical part of the project \u2013 so-called \u00abmaritime training\u00bb. Children will be taught how to work with semaphore, navigation systems etc.<\/span><\/p>\n In 2021, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine imposed sanctions on Kovalenko. In June 2023, Ukrainian court <\/span>sentenced<\/span><\/a> him in absentia to 10 years imprisonment. In summer 2023, the European Union, Switzerland, UK and the USA also imposed sanctions on Kovalenko.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Volodymyr Kovalenko, head of Sevastopol office of \u00abYoung Army\u00bb. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n \u00abKrympatriotcenter\u00bb<\/b><\/p>\n Full name of this governmental educational institution is as follows: \u00abRegional center on training for military service and military patriotic education\u00bb. The Center has been founded by occupation \u00abauthorities\u00bb of Crimea on June 15, 2015.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00ab<\/span>Krympatriotcenter<\/span><\/a>\u00bb prepares teenagers for military service, opens sections in schools on initial military training and organizes military patriotic camps for children. Students of Black Sea High Navy School and participants of the Russian war against Ukraine have been teachers of the center. Budget of Crimea has already allocated almost 150 million Rubles for projects of the Center. It has been registered in Simferopol, in 9 floor building at 60 rokiv Oktyabrya street, 13, apt. 64.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2023, the USA introduced sanctions against \u00abKrympatriotcenter\u00bb for its support of Russian efforts to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity by militarizing school teenagers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Training of children in \u00abKrympatriotcenter\u00bb. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n 53 years old Lieutenant Colonel <\/span>Dmitrii Aleksandrovich Polkovnikov<\/b> has been the head of \u00abKrympatriotcenter\u00bb since 2022. He was born in Russian city of Kostroma. He has served in the Russian Navy. For his participation in the first Chechen war, he was awarded \u00abHero of Russia\u00bb.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He has been the head of Lomonosovsky district of Leningradska oblast until 2017. He left this position upon his own will, as he explained. However, his dismissal has been likely caused by huge public scandal. Journalists of Russian media 47news revealed that he has been among founders of private military company <\/span>Longifolia Corp<\/span><\/a>, registered in Panama offshore. The company proposes \u00ablegitimate governments its assistance in securing public safety under emergency situations\u00bb. It also delivers services of \u00abarmed support\u00bb for ships in Indian and Atlantic oceans threatened by pirates. It can manage the security of oil and gas extracting platforms. Representatives of criminal groups of Sankt Petersburg have been partners of Polkovnikov in the company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dmitrii Polkovnikov has been financial director of Longifolia Corp from June 2014 until June 2015. He owned 19% of its shares. Russian prosecutors confirmed information disclosed by journalists. They identified several non-declared bank accounts of Polkovnikov.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Political career of Polkovnikov has been ruined. But the Russian Ministry of Defense appointed him as the Head of Cadet Corps of the Military Institute of Sports of the Ministry of Defense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2020, Polkovnikov founded and headed non-governmental \u00abUnion of Heroes of City Hero Sevastopol\u00bb. Now this organization is being liquidated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In December 2023, the European Union and Switzerland introduced <\/span>sanctions<\/span><\/a> against Polkovnikov for \u00abmilitarizing\u00bb children on temporary occupied territory of Crimea. He is still not sanctioned by Ukrainian authorities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dmitrii Polkovnikov, head of \u00abKrympatriotcenter\u00bb. Photo: krympatriotcentr.ru<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n \u00abUnion of Cossack youth of Crimea and Sevastopol\u00bb<\/b><\/p>\n \u00ab<\/span>Union of Cossack youth of Crimea and Sevastopol<\/span><\/a>\u00bb is the unit of \u00abCrimean Cossack District of Black Sea Cossack Troops\u00bb.<\/span><\/p>\n This organization conducts military patriotic competitions and clubs, shooting tournaments, military patriotic races and sports games under title \u00abYoung defender of Motherland\u00bb, \u00abServing in glory of Motherland\u00bb. Children learn to shoot, assemble Kalashnikov rifle, throw a grenade etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Military patriotic training of \u00abUnion of Cossack Youth\u00bb. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n Besides that, \u00abUnion of Cossack youth\u00bb actively involves children into assistance of the Russian Armed Forces. Children manufacture trench candles and camouflage nets for Russian soldiers, participants of the Russian invasion into Ukraine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Union holds propagandist events like \u00ablessons of courage\u00bb, meetings with \u00abheroes of special military operation\u00bb.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00abLesson of courage\u00bb in Simferopol gymnasium # 9 from \u00abUnion of Cossack Youth\u00bb. Photo:oko-crimea.ru<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n \u00abUnion of Cossack youth of Crimea and Sevastopol\u00bb has been headed by 48 years old <\/span>Oleksii Valeriyovych Abaulin<\/b>. He was born in Simferopol. He teaches basic life safety in Simferopol school # 15. He is the head of department on pre-conscription training, military sports competitions of \u00abKrympatriotcenter\u00bb.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2021, he unsuccessfully participated in primaries of Russian political party \u00abUnited Russia\u00bb during elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Oleksii Abaulin, head of \u00abUnion of Cossack Youth of Crimea and Sevastopol\u00bb. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n \u00abUnion of heirs of traditions\u00bb, Krasnogvardiisky district\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Full name of the organization is as follows: Crimean regional historical patriotic non-governmental organization \u00abUnion of heirs of traditions\u00bb.<\/span><\/p>\n Organization has been <\/span>registered<\/span><\/a> in 2015, in accordance with the Russian State Register of Legal Entities. It has been de facto set up in 2008, before the Russian annexation of Crimea. It had the same name in Ukrainian (\u00ab<\/span>Union of heirs of traditions<\/span><\/a>\u00bb). Its initial purpose has been support of museums and research.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After Russian occupation of Crimea, \u00abheirs\u00bb have focused on patriotic training of the youth. \u00abUnion\u00bb conduct military sports competitions, races and camps. Children aged above 8 years old can become members of the Union. They learn to assemble Kalashnikov, shoot and fight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Celebrating the anniversary of \u00abUnion of heirs of traditions\u00bb. Photo: Anna Grishkina\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n 44 years old resident of Krasnogvardiiske <\/span>Viktor Vasylyovych Kozhevnykov<\/b> has been the president of the Union. He is the member of Petrivka village council of Krasnogvardiiske district from faction of Russian political party \u00abUnited Russia\u00bb. He runs his business \u2013 selling food and cigarettes. Before Russian occupation, Kozhevnykov has been the owner of private enterprise \u00abGarant-servis\u00bb.<\/span><\/p>\n Viktor Kozhevnykov, Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n \u00abYevpatoria landing troops\u00bb, Yevpatoria\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Full name of the organization is the following: Autonomous non-commercial organization \u00abCenter for military patriotic training of children and youth \u00ab<\/span>Yevpatoria landing troops<\/span><\/a>\u00bb.<\/span><\/p>\n Organization has been registered in Yevpatoria in 2017 (Eskadronna street, 11, apt.77).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Center has trained children from 7 till 17 years old. Its training program includes: shooting, assaulting, hand-to-hand combat, pre-conscription training, military mountaineering, survival skills, patriotic events. Children learn to evacuate wounded soldiers and make camouflage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Training has been conducted on the basis of Yevpatoria driving school of DOSAAF and local military unit # 86863. The latter is separate navy engineering regiment of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation. \u00ab<\/span>School of young sapper<\/span><\/a>\u00bb has been also opened on the basis of this regiment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Training of children of \u00abYevpatori landing troops\u00bb. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n Kostyantyn Stanislavovych Miroshnychenko<\/b> has been the head of \u00abYevpatoria landing troops\u00bb. Overall, there were five founders of the organization. Open information about Miroshnychenko is scarce.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As his photos in social media suggest, he has been paratrooper. His taxation number, received from the Russian tax inspection in Yevpatoria, demonstrates that he has been citizen of Ukraine. In 2017, he <\/span>registered<\/span><\/a> his individual entrepreneurship (retail trade) but suspended it in a year and a half.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Another founder of the organization is <\/span>Vasyl Oleksandrovych Petukhov<\/b><\/a>. He is the head of Yevpatoria office of \u00abUnion of paratroopers of Crimea\u00bb. He graduated from Simferopol High Military Political Construction School and Kharkiv Institute of Internal Affairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before the Russian occupation of Crimea, he has been co-founder of LLC \u00abTechnical center \u00abPlanar\u00bb, registered in Uyutne village of Saky district. He has been elected to the village council.<\/span><\/p>\n Kostyantyn Miroshnychenko (in the center). Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n Other founders of \u00abYevpatoria landing troops\u00bb came from the Russian Federation. Arina Linkova and Vladimir Melnikov came from Russian Republic of Komi; Sergei Nesterov \u2013 from Moscow. Nesterov has headed offices of Russian political parties \u00abRodina\u00bb [Motherland] and \u00abDvizhenie Don\u00bb [Movement of Don] in Moscow before December 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00abCenter of military patriotic training of studying youth\u00bb, Sevastopol\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Full name of the organization \u2013 \u00abState budgetary educational institution of additional education of Sevastopol \u00ab<\/span>Center of military patriotic training of studying youth<\/span><\/a>\u00bb.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Founded in 1959 in Sevastopol, the Center of extra-curriculum education has been reorganized into the \u00abCenter of military patriotic training of studying youth\u00bb in 2010. After Russian occupation of Crimea, the Center has been <\/span>re-registered<\/span><\/a> under Russian jurisdiction. The current Center has been founded by the \u00abgovernment\u00bb of Sevastopol. It has invested a lot into the Center\u2019s activity. <\/span>Dry cleaning<\/span><\/a> of navy uniforms has been among the largest expenses of the Center, according to Center\u2019s financial reports, published on Russian online resources. The Center spends millions of Rubles for dry cleaning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Center conducts creative and sports events but its <\/span>accounts<\/span><\/a> in social media are overwhelmed by photos and videos from propagandist events in Soviet style \u2013 competitions of patriotic songs in schools and kindergartens etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Competition of songs \u00abIn glory of Motherland\u00bb in the kindergarten of Sevastopol. Photo from social media<\/p><\/div>\n The Center runs schools of pre-conscription, survival and safety training. It organizes military patriotic camps and military sports games \u00abRubezh\u00bb [Frontier] for senior school students, \u00abZarnytsia\u00bb \u2013 for middle level students and \u00abZarnychka\u00bb \u2013 for juniors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Military sports games \u00abZarnytsya\u00bb. Photo: cdn-crimea-news<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n Since 2020, <\/span>Ivan Olegovych Demydov<\/b> has been the director of Sevastopol military patriotic Center. He worked as teacher of theatre studio \u00abMotherland\u00bb in the Center. He received bachelor from Kharkiv Pedagogical University named after Skovoroda. He registered <\/span>individual entrepreneurship<\/span><\/a> in the sphere of entertainment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ivan Demydov shares his experience with his \u00abcolleagues\u00bb on occupied territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. For example, in August 2023, he visited occupied Skadovsk and signed cooperation agreement with \u00abKherson center of extra-curriculum education\u00bb. In November 2023, he made a presentation at seminar \u00abPatriotic training under current conditions\u00bb in occupied Zaporizhzhia region. <\/span><\/p>\n Ivan Demydov, head. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n \u00abSyvash\u00bb, Dzhankoi, Kerch\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The Center of military patriotic training and creativity of youth \u00abSyvash\u00bb has been set up in Dzhankoi on February 23, 2016. Children are taught a number of practical skills: hand-to-hand combat, shooting, first medical aid, parachuting, military topography and communications; driving skills and engineering. Theoretical part of training includes learning Russian legislation and history of the Russian army.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2017, project of \u00abSyvash\u00bb, called \u00abGreat people \u2013 to great Russia. With great spirit and strong body\u00bb, won a grant of Putin\u2019s Fund. It received almost one million Rubles to teach children, starting from the 1<\/span>st<\/span> class, skills of hand-to-hand combat and shooting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2023, the Center moved to another Crimean city \u2013 Kerch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Presentation of members of \u00abCenter \u00abSyvash\u00bb in the center of Simferopol. Photo from social media\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n \u00abSyvash\u00bb has been created by reserve officers <\/span>Oleksandr Stepanovych Shyshkanu<\/b> and <\/span>Vladimir Vasilyevich Kryvosheev<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Oleksandr Shyshkanu graduated from Kyiv High Military School named after Frunze. As soldier of special purpose brigade, he fought in Afghanistan. He was awarded Soviet order \u00abRed Star\u00bb and medal \u00abFor courage\u00bb. After his retirement, he has been a teacher of sports in secondary school and trainer of hand-to-hand combat in Donetsk. In 2015, he moved to occupied Crimea and taught sports and survival skills in Dzhankoi school # 2. He has been vice-president of the Federation of military hand-to-hand combat and headed club \u00abBlue caps\u00bb. In November 2021, 56 years old Shyshkanu died.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/investigator.org.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/yunarmiyci_simferopol.jpg\")
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