Watch how Russian army trains teenage kids to fire AK-47

New Delhi: Russian army is actively encouraging schoolchildren to take up real arms. Military sports club ‘Berkut' trains young Russian kids, who dream of joining the elite units of the Russian army .Children as young as five years old are sent on forced marches, given battlefield training, taught hand-to-hand combat, and how to use military equipment.Youngsters aged just 12 years are taught how to fire Kalashnikov assault rifles and other small arms.During the club's regular camps, some children are given the opportunity to learn parachute jump during their paratrooper training.The club is based in Zhukovsky, on the outskirts of Moscow. Most instructors are ex-armed forces men and have first-hand knowledge of the hardships of service in the armed forces.The training is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle, good physical development and loyalty to their homeland and also offers the opportunity to become full-fledged citizens of society.The club also provides opportunity to kids to showcase their their hand-to-hand combat skills in front of their proud parents in its annual function every year.