Ukrainian law enforcement served eight leaders of the Yunarmiya movement in occupied Donetsk Oblast with notices of suspicion for their involvement in military training programs that drew Ukrainian children into Russian military systems.

Eight leaders of the Yunarmiya movement operating in temporarily occupied Donetsk Oblast were served with notices of suspicion

Around 6,000 Ukrainian children aged between 6 and 18 were involved in training programmes

The Yunarmiya movement was created in Russia in 2016 and expanded to occupied Ukrainian territories including Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts

Children were taught how to handle weapons and took part in tactical exercises, military drills and oaths of allegiance to Russia

After training, some children later joined the Russian forces once they turned 18

No fewer than 10% of new recruits to the Russian forces came from Yunarmiya each year

Myroslav Chornomor, defender of Mariupol sentenced to life imprisonment by occupiers, released from captivity.