Vladimir Putin's administration has reportedly allocated £500 million to build military training facilities for children, known as Avangard, over the last five years. These facilities, totaling 147 centers, are designed to provide compulsory military training to school-aged children across 39 regions, including annexed Crimea. The funding, amounting to at least 36.5 billion rubles (approximately £363 million), has raised alarms about the militarization of youth in Russia. The most costly facility, located at Patriot Park, has seen expenditures of 13.6 billion rubles (around £136 million). Training at these centers became mandatory on September 1, 2023, with students participating in military drills, weapon handling, and drone operation. Reports indicate that some children are subsequently targeted by military recruiters. This initiative unfolds against the backdrop of a deteriorating ceasefire situation between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Despite diplomatic efforts, ongoing violence continues to plague the region, complicating any potential resolutions.