The story of a 72-year-old retired Russian Air Force colonel is currently being used in Russia to teach students a "lesson of courage" as part of a new project called Patriotic Education.
Joined War at 72 years
Vacheslav Shevyakov, a father of five and retired Air Force colonel, recently visited a school to share his experience of volunteering for the war in Ukraine, despite his advanced age.
Shevyakov’s career includes service in the Russian Armed Forces, followed by work with Gosatomnadzor, where he participated in nuclear facility inspections. He later worked for the state nuclear corporation Rosatom, according to Regions.
His decision to join the ongoing war at 72 is portrayed by Russian media as a symbol of unwavering patriotism and duty. During his meeting with students, Shevyakov spoke about his military experiences and reflected on the so-called "heroes" of the war in Ukraine.
Foster Support for the War
He also shared the personal tragedy of losing his son in the war, using his story to emphasize the high stakes of the conflict. Additionally, Shevyakov quoted Russian literary figures like A.S. Pushkin and M.Y. Lermontov to underscore themes of loyalty and patriotism. This narrative was framed by Russian media as a way to inspire students, drawing on cultural and historical values to justify the war effort.
The intention behind these school visits is to foster support for the war among young people. Russia is currently facing challenges in recruiting new soldiers, and the government is employing various strategies to attract recruits, such as offering salaries up to six times the average Russian wage.
The event was organized with the support of the state fund "Defenders of the Fatherland," a government-backed initiative aimed at instilling patriotism in the younger generation.
The ongoing promotion of such events by Russian media reflects the government’s efforts to maintain public support for the war, despite rising casualties and increasing international condemnation.
