THIS is the chilling moment Russian schoolkids armed with AK-47s and grenades are put through twisted military training.

More than 80 heavily armed children, some as young as eight, spent the week crawling across sand and firing ammunition as Vladimir Putin readies his next wave of soldiers.

Many of the 83 children, all under the age of 18, donned military attire as they participated in a “route march” in southern Russia.

Dubbed a holiday camp, this event occurred on the banks of the River Don, where the group of cadets handled real weapons and engaged in actual military drills.

They were made to run laps, crawl across the ground on their stomachs and wade through shallow waters – all while holding lethal equipment.

Both girls and boys were armed with genuine rifles while others were handed prop weapons.

The summer camp in the Rostov region, close to the Ukrainian border, was arranged by war veterans who have fought in Ukraine.

Military instructors were seen bellowing instructions at the children as they took part in the activities with a worrying smile across their faces.

This activity is part of a broader move in Russia focused on educating young children and teaching them skills intended to persuade them to join military service.

Among the youngest participants was 8-year-old Ivan Glushchenko who was reportedly allowed to carry genuine war weapons.

When he was asked what his favourite part of the course was he simply replied: “How we threw hand grenades and fired dummy shots.”

This excitement by the baby-faced recruits was echoed by those older who are nearing the legal age to enlist in the military.

Late teen Anton said: “Why I am here? It’s because I want to tie my future with military service.

“[I want] to serve my country and be loyal to my cause until the very end.”

Another, David, said the march enables him to test his limits and “find out how strong my willpower is”.

One young girl even finished the course as she gleefully exclaimed: “I nearly died.”

Critics have blasted the footage for being laced with propaganda in support of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Others say putting children through army-style training giving them experience handling weapons is a form of indoctrination.

Russian authorities hit back by arguing it is simply healthy patriotism.

Instructor Vladimir Yanenko even hailed the course as it helps the children draw “understanding and knowledge”.

He added: “Patriotic training is very important.

“They don’t want to hang out in back alleyways. It’s much more fun for them here.”

The disturbing normalization of children undergoing military training is feared to be part of a larger strategy by Putin to indoctrinate the youth into joining his military forces.

At school, children face mandatory lessons called “Conversations about Important Things”, where dying for the Motherland is glorified.

The course was introduced in September 2022 – eight months after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In September 2023, new history textbooks were introduced in Russian schools that glorify the nation, omit critical views of Stalin, and present the West as aggressors.

Children are taught that Ukraine is a “Nazi state” and that Russia’s invasion is justified – no different to Putin’s claim that it’s “a question of life and death, the question of our historic future as a people”.

Back in 2021, footage again emerged of Russian students performing military acts in a bizarre primary school parade.

 The kids were filmed carrying imitation guns and chanting songs about being “merciless” to the enemy.

One included the lyrics: “We are Russians, God is with us….The Russians are coming.”