The Kremlin is actively working to instill “patriotic” values in children and teenagers through a Soviet-style propaganda campaign in preparation for a life shaped by conflict with Ukraine and the West. Young people are being encouraged to embrace military duty and nationalistic sentiments, with the emphasis on defending the Fatherland against external threats. The government official’s comments reflect the urgency with which the Kremlin sees the need to shape the next generation into patriotic warriors rather than supporters of Western culture or opposition figures.
Since Putin first became president in 2000, winning the hearts and minds of young people has been a top priority for the Kremlin. State-funded youth movements were established to promote patriotic values, but subsequent opposition protests and support for figures like Alexei Navalny exposed the regime’s failure to fully indoctrinate the younger generation. The invasion of Ukraine in 2020 further intensified the focus on youth indoctrination, leading to the introduction of new laws and initiatives aimed at mobilizing and unifying young people around a shared nationalistic ideology.
A draft law titled “On Systematizing the Sphere of Youth Policy” has been introduced in the State Duma to promote young people’s willingness to fulfill their constitutional duty to defend the Fatherland. Putin’s “Movement of the Firsts” mirrors Soviet-era practices like the Pioneers, with schools reintroducing flag-raising ceremonies and anthem-singing to evoke a sense of national pride and unity. The presidential administration is drawing inspiration from Soviet practices, particularly from the Stalinist era, as it seeks to shape the younger generation into loyal and patriotic citizens ready to defend Russia in times of conflict.
Rosmolodyozh, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, is being transformed into a new ideological body responsible for coordinating and standardizing youth ideological education initiatives from kindergarten to higher education. The agency is expected to play a central role in promoting state propaganda and indoctrinating young people with patriotic values. While Russia’s Constitution prohibits the establishment of a state ideology, Rosmolodyozh will function as an extension of state propaganda, promoting Putin’s vision of patriotism as the country’s primary ideology.
Valery Fadeyev, the head of the presidential human rights council, and other officials have emphasized the need for a new Russian ideology centered around patriotism and national unity. The government aims to shift the concept of “patriotism” from an abstract notion to a tangible commitment that can be measured and converted into concrete support for the country, including military service. This focus on instilling patriotism as a practical and functional ideology reflects the government’s efforts to mobilize the younger generation for potential conflicts and wars, aligning them with the Kremlin’s agenda and priorities.
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