Children of War Dead Sent to School by Other Invasion Participants
In Russia, participants in the war took children of fallen comrades to school. In 40 Russian regions, an event called 'Be Near' took place, during which participants of the invasion of Ukraine accompanied the children of fallen soldiers to their graduation ceremony.
Consensus
- The event took place on September 1 in dozens of Russian regions.
- Children whose fathers died in the war in Ukraine were escorted to schools by other participants of the Russian invasion.
- The event was part of an annual campaign named 'Be Nearby'.
- The campaign was organized by the Association of Veterans of the SOV and Rospatriotcenter of Rosmолодежи.
- Reports and photos of the event were published on VKontakte by schools, local administrations, and regional branches of the association.
- The number of participating regions doubled compared to 2025, when the campaign was held in 20 regions.
- Participants were referred to as 'battle comrades' of the deceased fathers, and in at least one case as 'father's brother'.
- The campaign aims to show families of fallen soldiers that their children are protected by the 'brotherhood of defenders of the fatherland'.
- Rospatriotcenter is a state-funded institution under Rosmолодежи responsible for patriotic and military education of children.
Points of divergence
- The campaign has been held for at least two years, with participation doubling from 20 to 40 regions in 2025. — novaya_eu
- The campaign was held in specialized educational institutions, including the 30th correctional school in Moscow. — tg_sibrealii
- The campaign was held in specialized educational institutions, such as the 30th correctional school in Moscow. — tg_severrealii
- The campaign was held in specialized educational institutions, like the 30th correctional school in Moscow. — tg_agentstvonews
- The campaign was held in 40 regions, with at least 200 reports found on VKontakte in the first half of September 1. — novaya_eu
- The campaign was held in 40 regions with around 200 reports on VKontakte in the first half of the day. — tg_agentstvonews
- In some cases, participants spoke at the school assemblies during the event. — tg_sibrealii
- In some cases, participants spoke at the school assemblies durante the event. — tg_severrealii
- A participant escorted a first-grader in occupied Melitopol, but the father's death was not reported. — tg_sibrealii
- A participant escorted a first-grader in occupied Melитopol, but the father's death was not mentioned. — tg_severrealii
- The Association of Veterans of the SOV reported the campaign was held in 40 regions. — novaya_eu
- The Association of Veterans of the SOV confirmed the campaign was held in 40 regions. — tg_agentstvonews
Coverage (4 sources)
- Children whose fathers died in the war were taken to schools by other participants of the invasion — Новая газета Европа
- In Russia, war participants took children of fallen comrades to school — Сибирь.Реалии
- In Russia, war participants took children of fallen comrades to school — Север.Реалии
- Children of soldiers killed in Ukraine are brought to schools by other participants of the invasion — Агентство. Новости