Underage Prisoners of War

According to Novaya Gazeta Europe, since the beginning of 2024, 93 minors have been added to the list of "terrorists and extremists," 20 of whom are under the age of 16. As of November 6, the total number of minors on this list has reached 115. The list now includes two boys born in 2010—14 years old, making them the youngest currently on the list.

In 2024 in 50 out of 134 arson cases, the detainees were minors. Most of the detained individuals were accused of arson or preparing for arson on railroads. Among the suspects in such cases, the proportion of teenagers is even higher—37 out of 81 individuals, nearly one in two.

Minors involved in arson cases (almost all railroad-related) received sentences ranging from 4 to 8 years of imprisonment. Adult offenders convicted of railroad arson are typically sentenced to more than 10 years of imprisonment, often with part of the sentence served in a high-security prison.