The Russian-Serbian patriotic youth camp in Zlatibor in southwestern Serbia has been dissolved "because of public concerns". On this Friday, August 17, said in Belgrade, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Serbia Nebojsa Stefanovich.

According to him, the critics of the initiative expressed the opinion that "children can be used for selfish purposes".

As the Russian media reported earlier, representatives of Serbian and Russian veteran and patriotic associations worked as instructors in the camp. According to the information agencies, among them, in particular, included participants in the fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Adolescents and young people aged 14 to 23 years were trained in survival in natural conditions, first aid, fighting rules: how to behave properly during a clash, how to shoot a firearm, use explosives and protect yourself with cold weapons.

The representative of the Society of Participants in the Armed Conflict in the territory of the former Yugoslavia Zeljko Vukelic stressed that this is not a military camp, but a "youth patriotic".

In contrast, the chairman of the organizing committee of the camp, Valery Shambarov, stated that the purpose of the event was to teach young people how to "become real warriors who can protect their country".

As the Russian propaganda channel "Russia Today" broadcast, the rally was to be held from August 9 to August 18. According to the channel, about 30 children gathered in Zlatibor. Serbian media reported on 44 participants, including ten girls.

On Friday, August 17, a large Serbian daily newspaper, the tabloid Blic, went to press with a comment: "Give the children balls instead of rifles".

Earlier similar camps for children and teenagers were arranged in Russia. In Serbia, a similar meeting was held for the first time.

Source: DW.