Eduard Korniyenko
Born in Stavropol, Russia, in 1974. Eduard Korniyenko became a professional photographer in 2000.
In 2002 he joined the Russian Union of Journalists. At present Korniyenko is a full-time photo-correspondent for regional news agency Pobeda26 and a REUTERS Contractor Photographer.
His work as a photojournalist has focused on developments in Northern Caucasus, which has experienced ethnic and intercultural conflict and political and economic instability.
Lords of the guns
In Russia so-called military-patriotic education has become a part of the schooling system. From an early age children study Russian history, practice tasks and skills appropriate for their age, train at patriotic military clubs. In the Caucasus region in particular, where worship of arms and military traditions run strong, specialized cadet schools have been opened. Their programs reach beyond the standard curriculum to spiritual instruction, extended field exercises where students spend the nights outdoors as well as parachute jumping and weapons training. The cadets go through intensive boot camp programs at a base located near the southern city of Stavropol on a regular basis.
These kids approach their soldierly regimen in a very grown-up manner. Many of the children dream of a military career. One of the cadets, Dmitry Pavlov (17 years old) told us: “I enjoy going on field trips in all the gear, siting by the campfire and singing to a guitar, wearing the uniform, working with younger cadets. Communication with officers is also very valuable to me. Everything I was taught at the cadet school I would not have been taught at an ordinary school.”
Students of the General YYermolov Cadet School wait for target practice in a camp near Sengileyevskoye village in Stavropol region. March 27th, 2017.
A student of the General Yermolov Cadet School in training at the school area in Stavropol. November 9th, 2017.
Students of the General Yermolov Cadet School attend a tactical exercise which includes entrenchment, outdoor survival and more, outside Stavropol, Russia. October 21st, 2017.
Members of the military-patriotic club “Patriot” from the Crimean city of Yevpatoria go swimming in a lake after morning exersises during their visit to the base of the military-patriotic club "Russian Knights", near Sengileyevskoye village in Stavropol region, Russia. August 4th, 2017.
Students of the General Yermolov Cadet School during training near a boot camp of the “Russian Knights” military-patriotic club in Sengileyevskoye village outside Stavropol, Russia. March 28th, 2017.
Students from the General Yermolov Cadet School assign guard duty during a tactical exercise in a wood outside Stavropol, Russia. October 21st, 2017.
Students from the General Yermolov Cadet School study weapon assembly at the camp of the “Russian Knights” near Sengileyevskoye village in Stavropol region. February 7th, 2017.
A student from the General Yermolov Cadet School fans a flame during a tactical exercise in a wood outside Stavropol, Russia. October 21st, 2017.
Students from the General Yermolov Cadet School on their way to parachute jumping practice in Novomaryevskaya village in Stavropol region. April 29th, 2017.
A student at the General Yermolov Cadet School throws an imitation machine gun during training on the grounds of the military-patriotic club “Russian Knights” in Sengileyevskoye village in Stavropol region, Russia. March 27th, 2017.