Overview of the Youth Frontier Project
According to officials connected with the Internet Development Institute, the first two installments of the documentary series Edge of Youth have been released online. The project follows a journalist and blogger, Liliya Abramova, as she travels to front-line areas to shine a light on the personal stories of six young people. The series centers on the roles that young people play in supporting military personnel and their families during a time of conflict.
The Youth Frontier initiative spotlights stories of children who assist and encourage participants in a special military operation, along with their fathers and other relatives. The aim is to show how communities rally around those serving at the front and how younger residents contribute to the broader relief and morale effort.
The first episode features 14-year-old Ksenia Chaika from the village of Lakedemonovka in the Rostov region. After her father was mobilized, Ksenia enlisted the help of her technology teacher to share a hands-on project about making guardian angels. The project quickly grew from a classroom activity to a school-wide effort. Through Ksenia’s leadership and the support of local clergy, more than 100 guardian angels found their way to service members in the Northern Military District. In addition to the crafts, humanitarian drives were organized to support families and soldiers in need.
The second episode centers on 17-year-old Artem Soldatov from Bakhchisaray. A life safety teacher volunteered for the Northern Military District, and Artem chose to back the teacher by mobilizing students and colleagues from multiple educational institutions. The result was a steady cadence of humanitarian collections aimed at assisting the fighters and their units on duty.
Abramova’s interactions often include moments of celebration and surprise for the young participants. Artem Soldatov himself visited the Tavrida.ART festival, where he met his artistic idol, the singer SHAMAN, and attended a live performance that left a lasting impression.
The driving message of the project is clear: strong defense relies not only on a capable army but also on a dependable support network at home. The initiative highlights the resilience of youth and their communities in regions adjacent to conflict zones, including Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Rostov, and the Republic of Crimea. The creators hope these stories stand as honest examples for both younger and older audiences, illustrating how care, creativity, and solidarity can reinforce the broader effort of national resilience.
While the series centers on intimate, personal actions, it also offers a broader lens on how civilian communities adapt and contribute in times of strain. The hope is to encourage other young people to find constructive ways to support service members and families, and to recognize the value of communal effort in difficult times.
In presenting these narratives, the project emphasizes the importance of moral support, practical aid, and cultural connection as components of a stronger home front. The stories show that youth can play a meaningful role in maintaining morale, supporting humanitarian needs, and fostering a sense of unity across diverse communities.