Occupiers in Mariupol use children for propaganda - mayor's adviser

Diana Krechetova, Ukrainska Pravda. Zhyttia — Tuesday, 7 June 2022

The Russian occupying "authorities" in Mariupol are forcing educators to record propaganda videos involving children.

This was reported by Petro Andriushchenko, the adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, on Telegram.

In this way, the invaders are preparing for "Russia Day" which is celebrated in Russia on 12 June.

"The occupying authorities of the city have instructed teachers, workers at children's centres and kindergartens (those which have opened again) to provide a video recording of the children singing the anthem of the Russian Federation and ‘young republics’ [self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics] for ‘Russia Day’ on 12 June," Andriushchenko said.

According to the adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, the Russians are going to actively share the videos with Ukrainian children and teachers who allegedly "enjoy" them.

"The videos will be widely shared to confirm the joy of Russia's arrival with a flash mob ‘we have been waiting for 8 years [for Russia]’," Andriushchenko said.

At the same time, if they refuse to cooperate with the occupiers and to follow their instructions, teachers face arrest and their families may be excluded from the lists for humanitarian aid.

"Forcing children into propaganda - what other frontiers of Nazism will the Russians invent in Mariupol for the sake of an image?" - Petro Andriushchenko emphasises.

Background: The adviser to the mayor of Mariupol earlier reported how the city is living under occupation: humanitarian aid has been reduced and people must sign up to queue for drinking water at least two days in advance.