Author: Karolina Hird



Data cut-off: 9:30am ET, May 19

ISW's Russian Occupation Update tracks the activities that occur in the Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. This product line replaces the section of the Daily Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment covering activities in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.

To read ISW’s assessment of how Russian activities in occupied areas of Ukraine are part of a coerced Russification and ethnic cleansing campaign, click here.

Click here to view our Russia-Ukraine interactive maps.

Click here to view our special reports since 2025.

The Russian “Voin” military-patriotic training center network has taken “patronage” over orphans from occupied Donetsk Oblast and intends to train these orphans for service in the Russian armed forces. Occupied Donetsk Oblast-based Russian outlet Donetsk News Agency reported on May 14, citing occupied Donetsk Oblast “Voin” branch director Alexander Kamyshov, that “Voin” has “taken patronage” over orphans from the Children’s Social Center and Amvrosiivska Boarding School No. 4. “Voin” patronage over the two orphanages means that “Voin” organizes events for the children, including training sessions in drone operation, tactical medicine, and basic military affairs. Russian combat veterans will train and instruct the children. ISW previously assessed that “Voin” is a critical component of Russia’s wider campaign to indoctrinate and militarize Ukrainian children to prepare them for eventual service in the Russian military. Russia’s targeting of orphans for indoctrination and military training is particularly nefarious, as these children are left vulnerable by the absence of families or guardians who can advocate for them.

Key Takeaways:

• The Russian “Voin” military-patriotic training center network has taken “patronage” over orphans from occupied Donetsk Oblast and intends to train these orphans for service in the Russian armed forces.

• The Kremlin-controlled Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) continues to consolidate its control over occupied Ukraine.

• Russian occupation authorities are leveraging the labor of Ukrainian students to staff occupation administrations and support production at various state-controlled industries in occupied Ukraine.

• The ever-expanding ecosystem of Russian military-patriotic youth groups continues to facilitate the re-education and indoctrination of Ukrainian children via “educational trips” to Russia.

Click Here to Read the Full Update

Website | Jobs & Internships

Follow ISW on social media:

Facebook | X | YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn | Threads | Bluesky

Donate online or by sending a check to the Institute for the Study of War at 1400 16th Street NW, Suite #515, Washington, DC, 20036. Please consider including the Institute for the Study of War in your estate plans.

ISW is a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy research organization. ISW advances an informed understanding of military affairs through reliable research, trusted analysis, and innovative education. We are committed to improving the nation's ability to execute military operations and respond to emerging threats in order to achieve US strategic objectives.