Occupiers are using eSports to militarize the education of teenagers

In the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region, Russian occupation structures are incorporating e-sports into the system of militarized youth education.

This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation.

According to the Center, the “People’s Front” movement, created on the initiative of Vladimir Putin and associated with the Russian security forces, has officially joined the laser tag training for cyber athletes of the so-called “DPR”.

The organization supports the Russian military, works with veterans, and also conducts training in tactical medicine and basic military training, particularly for schoolchildren and young people.

The Center emphasizes that laser tag in this scheme serves as the initial stage of military socialization. Through command tactics and imitation of combat operations, the occupiers present war as a form of play and entertainment, forming in adolescents an addiction to violence and the perception of war as the norm.

Thus, Russia uses esports as a tool for training a loyal and manageable mobilization resource.

It was previously reported that the idea of creating special “gamer armies” in Russia is being actively promoted in pro-Kremlin media – that is, mobilized shooter fans who should learn how to control drones more quickly.

We remind you that the Ministry of Youth and Sports recognized esports as an official sport in Ukraine.