At the Stalingrad Battle Museum in Russia's southern city of Volgograd, dozens of teenagers stand in a circle, wearing beige trousers and red berets, as they wait to take an oath and join the patriotic Youth Army cadets movement. According to the organisation's website, more that 1.2 million children have joined since its inception in 2016. "We are all happy that our child made such a decision by himself" says Daria Chertkova, whose 12-year-old son is among those being inducted, "we did not push him". Patriotic education has been on the rise in Russia for years, but since the Kremlin sent troops to Ukraine in February 2022, it has taken a more prominent position. "He knows about the special military operation" explains Daria, "in part, what is happening in the world influenced his decision." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES