Russia's Ministry of Education has published a draft order to split the school subject 'Fundamentals of Security and Defense of the Motherland' (OBZR) into two mandatory courses — 'Life Safety' and 'Basic Military Training' (NVP). The document proposes that the new rules take effect on September 1 and apply to students entering eighth and tenth grades.
Each of the two courses will be allocated 34 hours. Earlier, Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov said that starting the new academic year, the share of basic military training within OBZR would be doubled to 50% of class time.
The NVP course, according to the ministry, 'is aimed at forming the foundations of state defense and readiness for military service.' The curriculum will cover principles of national security, the civil defense system, and countering extremism and terrorism. Students will also be taught military discipline and drill commands such as 'Fall in,' 'Attention,' 'At ease,' and 'Stand easy.' Practical interactive classes are also planned.
Basic military training was reintroduced in Russian schools in 2023 as part of 'Life Safety' (OBZh) lessons. At that time, tenth and eleventh graders were taught to fire Kalashnikov assault rifles, use hand grenades, and provide first aid in combat. In 2024, OBZh was replaced by 'Fundamentals of Security and Defense of the Motherland.'
According to calculations by the outlet 'Vot Tak,' over the past five years Russian authorities have spent more than 50 billion rubles on creating and operating military-patriotic centers, where schoolchildren are sent for mandatory military drills. As The Insider reported, amid the full-scale war against Ukraine, schoolchildren have been mass-trained in proper rifle assembly, and military-patriotic clubs have taken over premises where children previously engaged in creative activities.