Russian Red Cross Helps Train Child Soldiers for Future Conflicts, Investigation Says

The Russian Red Cross (RRC) has become deeply entangled in the Kremlin’s war machine, even providing military training for children, a new investigation has revealed. 

Dutch investigative outlet Follow the Money found that the RRC, which is meant to be a neutral, humanitarian entity, helps organize Russia’s nationwide military-patriotic game Zarnitsa (Lightning).  

Dating back to the Soviet era, the competition is designed so that children as young as eight can learn how to fight, assemble and disassemble weapons, and operate drones. 

The investigation, supported by journalists from across Europe, found that children from all four regions annexed by the Kremlin in Ukraine also participated in last year’s Zarnitsa game. 

Expanding their operations into Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, employees claiming to be part of the RRC also abused Ukrainian prisoners of war held in prison camps in the Donetsk Oblast, FTM said. 

In response to the allegations, Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinecs called on the European Commission to impose sanctions on the RRC and international organizations to expel it from their structures.  

“Through its actions, the Russian Red Cross encourages children to participate in future armed conflicts,” the Polish state news agency (PAP) quoted Lubinec as saying, adding that the RRC “is implementing the political whims of the dictatorial regime.” 

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In a direct open letter, President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to hold a meeting about ending the war on neutral grounds. He proposed a full prisoner exchange, monitored ceasefire along the current front line, and international security guarantees as steps towards ending Russia’s full-scale invasion. US President Donald Trump expressed support for the idea. But the Kremlin dismissed the idea of a neutral venue and insisted on Zelensky coming to Moscow if he wants a peace deal.

Money keeps flowing 

Despite these allegations, the organization continues to receive millions of euros from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, FTM alleged. 

Last year, both institutions contributed €13.5 million to the budget of the RRC, which is also accused of collaborating with pro-Kremlin propaganda networks. This amount was twice as much as the Russian organization received in 2022, before the launch of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

Both institutions are partially funded by the European Commission and by other international organizations and associations.  

But the European Commission reportedly told FTM that of the more than €458 million it transferred to the Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 2024 and 2025, none went to the Russian branch.