Russian embassy school teaches children military skills in Denmark and spreads war propaganda in Finland

At a Russian embassy-run school in Copenhagen, children are reportedly taught how weapons work, how to use gas masks and how to follow military commands. The lessons include instruction on rocket launchers, hand grenades and assault rifles, according to the Danish newspaper Politiken.

Politiken said the militarized curriculum came from Russia’s Education Ministry and had been approved by the school’s principal. The newspaper based its findings on documents available on the school’s website. Its conclusion was stark: “Russia’s patriotic, militarized school system has settled in the middle of Copenhagen.”

Most pupils are children of diplomats, although other children can also apply. Politiken did not establish how many children attend the school or how many receive the military-themed instruction.

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Russia’s patriotic, militarized school system has settled in the middle of Copenhagen.

Helsingin Sanomat tried to determine whether similar teaching is offered at the Russian embassy’s primary school in Helsinki. The two telephone numbers listed on the school’s website did not work, and the newspaper received no reply after sending questions by email to the school and embassy.

The school’s website nevertheless describes activities with a patriotic and military focus. A report on the 2013-2014 school year mentioned a film about Russia’s modern armed forces, army songs and poetry readings, with visits from a colonel and a lieutenant colonel. During the 2022-2023 school year, after Russia had launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the school held a Victory Day event featuring a play based on Boris Vasilyev’s story about a women’s anti-aircraft unit. Girls playing soldiers were identified by name and shown in military uniforms. The website described the event as one marked by “tears and joy, gratitude and respect.”

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Tears and joy, gratitude and respect.