Russia accelerates youth profiling to find future leaders amid conflict

In a significant initiative, Russia has commenced a controversial project to conduct neuroprofiling tests on 10,000 children and teenagers across various regions. This program, launched by Rospatriottsentr, part of the federal agency for youth affairs, aims to identify future leaders and anti-leaders, with an emphasis on fostering patriotism as the country navigates its ongoing war against Ukraine. The tests are set to conclude in August 2025, after which 50 participants deemed positively aligned with nationalistic ideals will be invited to a seminar in Sevastopol, Crimea. Critics of this program, including independent educators, highlight concerns regarding the scientific validity of neuroprofiling, arguing that it employs pseudoscience to manipulate youths into conforming to state agendas. An educator referred to the initiative as reminiscent of both communist and fascist approaches to control, underscoring the troubling implications of channeling young people's lives into predetermined paths based on these assessments. Assertions have been made that such practices aim to bolster a singular narrative and suppress dissenting thoughts among the youth. The environment in Russia has undergone noticeable changes under President Vladimir Putin, particularly since the 2012 return to the presidency. With heightened efforts to eradicate opposing viewpoints and discourage critical thinking, the government has increasingly sought to instill patriotic values in children, cultivating an image of loyalty amid ongoing conflict. The recent neuroprofiling efforts are perceived as an extension of these tactics, which align with a broader strategy to align the next generation with the state's objectives. As the program unfolds, the results and methodologies remain largely opaque, raising questions about the operational principles that govern the profiling tests. The selected participants who demonstrate allegiance to state-sanctioned views on patriotism will be further engaged, while those who dissent will face exclusion. This initiative is viewed as part of a systematic effort to control the narrative among the youth and solidify a cohesive identity rooted in patriotism and loyalty to the state's vision for Russia’s future.