A tiny Russian child is shown in a khaki uniform and carrying a gun as he is urged to “kill Ukrainians” in a shocking clip doing the rounds on social media.

       The unverified footage, shared on X by Anton Geraschenko, a former adviser to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry, appears to have been shot in an undisclosed location.

       The bewildered youngster is shown looking up at the camera as a voice says: "Learn how to kill Khokhols [a derogatory Russian term for Ukrainians]. You’ll be practising next. Got it?”

       The child replies, “Yes sir!” and is ordered to “fight”.

       Other soldiers, holding rifles, are then shown crawling through sand as the officer says: “Hurry up! Move your elbows.”

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       At one point during the video, a voice says: “Don’t swing your f***ing elbows or you’ll get shot."

       At the end of the clip, the child is told: “Got it Sokol? Ukrainians won’t kill themselves. We must do it.”

       Mr Gerashchenko commented: "This is how Russians teach children for the war against Ukraine.

       "Sick people. Sick Russian society.”

       In Russia, the minimum age to serve in the armed forces as a conscript is 18 years old. For voluntary contract service, individuals can also join at 18, although in 2023, Russia amended its legislation to allow citizens to sign up for contract service up to the age of 65.

       This change reflects an effort to expand recruitment as the military faces challenges in replenishing its ranks due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

       Russia has a system of conscription, which requires all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 27 to serve in the military for a period of one year. There are two annual conscription cycles, typically in the spring (April to July) and autumn (October to December).

       Certain exemptions or deferments exist, such as for students in higher education, individuals with medical conditions, and those caring for dependents.

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       However, since the start of the war in Ukraine, reports indicate that some deferments have been more strictly reviewed, and there have been allegations of forced conscription in some regions.

       During the ongoing conflict illegally launched by Russia in 2022, Moscow expanded recruitment efforts beyond standard conscription. These include calling up reservists, raising the upper age limit for mobilisation, and actively recruiting volunteers and contract soldiers.

       In 2022, the announcement of a "partial mobilisation" targeted men up to the age of 55 who had previous military experience, further underscoring the Kremlin’s reliance on conscription and expanded eligibility to sustain its military operations.

       Among those recruited are individuals from marginalised and vulnerable groups, including prisoners.

       In late 2022 and early 2023, the Wagner Group, a private military company with close ties to the Kremlin, began enlisting convicts directly from prisons.

       Prisoners were offered promises of clemency and financial rewards in exchange for six-month combat tours, often in some of the most dangerous frontlines.

       Reports indicate that many of these recruits were poorly trained and equipped, with high casualty rates among their ranks.

       The strategy, though controversial, underscores the Kremlin’s desperation to replenish its forces and maintain its offensive in Ukraine despite mounting challenges.