Russian Children Receive Controversial Drone Toys for Christmas

Children in Russia are receiving drone toys mimicking military vehicles as Christmas gifts, raising significant concerns about the implications of such products. These toys, designed to resemble the long-range Iranian drones used in recent attacks, are available on Ozon, one of the country’s largest online retailers.

The listings include a hand-launched “toy airplane” that closely resembles the Shahed drone, which was involved in a deadly strike on a nursery in Kharkiv that occurred on December 6, 2023, affecting 48 children. The toy is marketed to children as young as three years old, with prices starting at 351 rubles (approximately £3.29). An adult version, which explodes on impact, is priced at 480 rubles (around £4.50).

Promotional material for the toys shows a child launching the glider, which detonates upon hitting the ground, mimicking the explosive impact of a real drone. The toys are sold by a group known as Stalin’s Falcons, which claims a nostalgic connection to Soviet history and uses similar imagery in its branding. Their official Telegram channel links to the Ozon storefront, suggesting a broader campaign to engage children with military themes.

Customer feedback on these toys reflects a troubling acceptance of their violent nature. One buyer, identified as Rinat T, expressed satisfaction with the “quality and lethality” of the product. Another anonymous user commented on the toy’s effectiveness in startling mail carriers, saying it “scared away the mail carriers, they thought it was real.”

Ozon responded to the controversy, stating, “Ozon sells a wide range of consumer goods to the public. We do not specialise in military products, nor do we sell them.” The company emphasized that it carefully checks the compliance and safety of all goods sold on its platform, especially those intended for children. They also noted that any products deemed illegal in Russia would not be listed on their site.

Despite these assurances, the presence of such toys on a major retail platform raises important questions about the messages being conveyed to young consumers. As the situation develops, Ozon has removed the products from its platform, but the incident has sparked discussions about the normalization of militarized play in a country facing ongoing conflict.

The sale of these drone replicas not only reflects the current socio-political climate in Russia but also poses ethical challenges regarding childhood innocence and the effects of war-themed toys on young minds.