Russia systematically recruits teenagers in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories into propaganda activities through the “Yunkor” (“Young Correspondents”) program, which operates under the auspices of Yunarmiya. The program trains participants to create pro-war content, undergo ideological indoctrination, and take part in militarized events, including in Russia.
An investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) details how the system operates.
Details
Journalists report that the “Yunkor” program receives state funding and forms part of the broader Yunarmiya structure, a military-patriotic movement backed by Russia’s Defense Ministry. Under the guise of media education, organizers train teenagers in information warfare, promote Kremlin narratives, and justify the invasion of Ukraine.
Participants take online courses in journalism and social media. At the same time, instructors push clear ideological guidelines: produce “patriotic” content and cover the so-called “special military operation.” Russian propagandists and war correspondents linked to state media take part in the training.
Investigators traced the stories of several teenagers from occupied territories. One example involves a girl from Henichesk who supported the Ukrainian language before the full-scale war. After joining the program, she became active in pro-Russian media projects and received funding from Russian authorities.
Other teenagers publicly support the war, produce militaristic and anti-Ukrainian content, and take part in military-style games and propaganda events.
The program also includes trips to Russia, participation in media forums, and meetings with military personnel. It integrates participants into an environment that presents war and Soviet military history as core values. Internal documents show that the government allocates millions of rubles to fund “Yunkor” and related initiatives.
Human rights advocates say such activities violate international law. An occupying power cannot impose its education system and propaganda on occupied territories.
Context
The militarization of children and teenagers in occupied territories forms part of Russia’s broader policy. This policy aims to reshape local identity and integrate populations into its political and cultural space.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that Russia systematically uses video games as a tool of state propaganda, youth militarization, and recruitment of gamers.
