Russian state TV frequently presents "patriotic events" in which children from occupied territories are participating, presenting this as their "patriotic duty". In reality, this is nothing more than admission to a war crime, as recruitment and use of children is forbidden by the International Humanitarian Law, of which Russia is a signatory, as well as forced recruitment - IHL literally says "it is forbidden to compel nationals of the hostile party to take part in operations of war directed against their own country". Russia had forcibly mobilized tens of thousands of Ukrainian citizens on the occupied territories since 2022, and not surprisingly had been using them for the most merciless operations.