ROSTOV REGION, Russia (Reuters) -Scores of schoolchildren enjoyed a riverside adventure in southern Russia this week, but it was no ordinary holiday camp.

With military instructors shouting encouragement, the 83 children, aged 8-17, took part in a “route march” on the shore of the River Don, alternately running and crawling on their bellies across sand and through shallow water.

Many wore camouflage uniforms. Some carried real weapons, while others held toy replicas.

The exercise, supervised by soldiers who have taken part in the war in Ukraine, was part of a wider trend in Russia to educate even young children in skills to equip them for eventual military service.

One of the youngest participants, 8-year-old Ivan Glushchenko, replied instantly when asked what had been the most memorab

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