Children undergo military training at the General Yermolov Cadet School just outside the city of Stavropol in southern Russia in a state-run institution that teaches military and patriotic classes in addition to an academic syllabus. Their studies concentrate on modern military science – from handling firearms and disarming landmines to performing Morse Code and even parachuting.

Students take part in field trips, during which they spend time at a base and undergo physical drills and weapons training. The outings are seen as a treat for students, and those with bad grades are not allowed to go. The school is named after the Russian imperial general Alexei Yermolov and many of its students are from military backgrounds. In this gallery, see how the military school moulds Russian children into soldiers.

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