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Forced Russification in occupied Ukrainian territories: houses seized and minors trained by Moscow

From the systematic confiscation of property in Mariupol to the militarisation of young people: Moscow accelerates the Russification of territories in south-eastern Ukraine

Russia has intensified its ‘Russification’ effort in occupied areas in south-eastern Ukraine, particularly in Mariupol, a city devastated during the long siege of 2022. According to the BBC, at least 5,700 homes have already been seized or are being confiscated, belonging to displaced or deceased residents. Making any claim by the rightful owners more difficult is a new law imposed by the pro-Russian authorities. Ukrainians seeking to return must pass through Russia and face complex procedures, with pressure to accept Russian citizenship.

Children in uniform and militarised schools

Moscow is also targeting the younger generation. In schools in the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, courses promoted by the Russian National Guard with military-style training have been activated. In some schools, such as No. 2 in Syvash, students are obliged to present themselves in camouflage. Youth groups such as Yunarmiya are born, where children learn the rudiments of military training and celebrate fallen soldiers. In Kherson, the ‘Soldier of the Law’ campaign is active, educating from primary school on discipline and loyalty to the regime.

The demographic plan and urban propaganda

According to Human Rights Watch, 443 residential towers, or 93% of the tallest buildings, were destroyed or damaged during the Russian siege of Mariupol. Moscow has started the construction of 70 new housing complexes, and Vladimir Putin has personally visited the Nevski quarter. However, housing remains insufficient and the repopulation plan – which envisaged 350,000 inhabitants by 2025 and 500,000 by 2035 – has remained on paper. It is, according to international observers, a plan copied from a 2016 Ukrainian plan that has never been updated.

Forced recruitment and personnel crisis

The shortage of personnel in Russian security agencies has prompted the authorities to promote recruitment-oriented schooling. The Russian Ministry of the Interior reported a gap of 172,000 officers, while the Prison Service lacks 23% of its planned personnel. Young people are offered free education in exchange for engagement in military forces or security structures. But salaries, especially for non-military forces, remain below the national average.

The real goal: creating a new people loyal to Moscow

According to Ivan Stupak, advisor to the Ukrainian National Security Commission, Russia’s goal is clear: to create a generation fully integrated into the Russian apparatus. ‘If Ukraine tries to take back these territories by force, they will not fight Russians. They will fight men who grew up here, trained by them,’ he said. This is the ultimate vision of total Russification that aims at the ultimate control of the occupied territories.

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