- November 10, 2024
- 1:30 pm
- Ukraine
While Ukraine suffers from attacks by Putin’s drones, some Ukrainian online stores are trying to make money by selling toy “Shaheds”, advertising them as “party goods.”
This week, Ukraine experienced one of the most massive Shahed drone attacks by Russia.
Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Azman also expressed concern and called on the world community to pay attention to the scale of the threat. In his statement, he condemned the use of drones as a tool of terror and noted the devastating impact such attacks have on the Ukrainian people. Azman stressed the importance of international sanctions and other measures against countries that promote aggression, in particular Iran, which supplies drones to Russia.
Quote Moshe Azman: “145! A record number of Iranian-Russian drones were launched into peaceful Ukrainian cities tonight. May the Lord bless the defenders of the skies of Ukraine.”
On the night of November 10, 2024, according to the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky, a record number of Iranian drones were launched – 145 units. Air defense forces shot down 62 droneshowever, a significant part still achieved their goal, causing damage to infrastructure and posing a threat to civilians.
Zelensky noted: “Every night our air defense forces protect the Ukrainian skies from Russian terror. Our country is faced with the active use of guided bombs, drones and missiles by Russia. “In recent days, more than 800 guided bombs, about 600 attack drones and almost 20 missiles of various types have been launched against us.”
Toy “Shaheds” for children: where do drones come from during the holidays in Ukraine?
The appearance of toys in the form of Iranian Shahed-136 drones, often used by Russia to attack Ukraine, has caused a heated debate in society. These products are advertised as attributes for children's parties, but many representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and psychologists express alarm and disapproval of this trend, considering it provocative and harmful to the children's psyche.
Sale of toy “Shaheds”: a new industry against the backdrop of war
In the wake of the actual Shahed-136 attacks, some entrepreneurs have decided to use the image of drones to create new children's toys. The following products appeared on Ukrainian websites: “Shahed drone piñata”which can supposedly add a “holiday atmosphere” to children’s events. One more product – children's construction set with a model of a drone, an anti-aircraft gun and figures of Ukrainian soldiers.
Psychological aspect: trauma or learning?
Experienced psychologist Olga Pletka for TSN explains that the presence of such toys has both negative and potentially positive consequences. In conditions of active hostilities in Ukraine, children may be injured when faced with such toys, since Shahed has already become a real threat to them. Pletka adds:
“We are at war, now giving children toys that are suicide bombs is cruel and harsh. We are traumatized by the war and for us this is now a real threat. Our psyche is now resisting, defending itself, so it doesn’t want to see this even in a toy version.”
Olga Pletka says the following about modern toys in the form of “Shaheds”: “Now we are in the active phase of the war, so this role is played by the same “Shaheds” and due to moral and physical trauma, constant danger, we perceive it painfully.
But 15 years after the end of the war, children will play with these toys. This will be the norm.
During the war, children can learn that “Shaheds” are dangerous, that it is possible to control the situation, that air defense shoots down these “Shaheds”. That is, allow the child to interact with reality in a playful way. It's good that games have winners and losers. Every child will want to be a winner, and this will add faith in victory in a real war.”
“I can say that these toy Shaheds were created by a smart head, but it’s a little early – the adult population is not prepared for the fact that these drones become part of the game during the war. On the other hand, the child develops in the environment where he lives. And although the toy “Shaheds” are a threat, they are a technique that you need to know, recognize, and learn to take care of your safety in reality. Minimum: follow the “two walls” rule or go to cover if there is a threat, do not touch the wreckage and parts of the drone if you find them. Remember the anti-mine campaign, when the media showed what mines looked like and how to behave when you found them. A soft toy in the shape of “Shahed” can also have an educational purpose; it is important that parents explain this to the child, and not just buy another brand new toy.”
Separate “Shahed”, with sweets
Olga Pletka says that it is necessary to clearly separate toy “Shaheds”, which can become a learning tool, from those that are an attribute for an adult party.
“As for the Shahed-shaped toy, which is advertised as “Holiday Goods” and is filled with sweets, this can be perceived as a holiday for the enemy. If this is a toy for adults, it looks like sarcasm, like a mockery of those people who could die from the same “Shahed”, a mockery of war and death. In adulthood, we do not learn to interact with Shahed as a toy. That is, we need to clearly distinguish between toys with which children can learn something, and toys for adults. The latter is a game of death, to put it mildly, an inappropriate game. The producers propose to direct their fury towards the destruction of such a “Shahed”. Perhaps it will become easier for some to cope with their powerlessness in war conditions, but most people are more likely to be retraumatized, that is, they will add to the trouble of supporting their own mental health,” says the psychologist.
And he adds:
“For some people this is another shock. If, for example, a father whose daughter died from Shahed sees such a toy, then it will not be difficult to predict his condition. It is unlikely that this man will perceive such a toy as a toy. These gifts are additional trauma. But such a toy could have been produced with the motivation, like, look, I’m not afraid of the Shaheds, but I repeat, we don’t know how those people who see such a toy will react.”
Opinion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: unacceptable game in war
Active military personnel with many years of experience, directly representatives of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in a commentary for TSN they expressed their opinion about the toy “Shaheds”: “There is no definite answer about such toys. For example, there are souvenirs made from parts of Russian missiles and there is nothing wrong with that. But such souvenirs are usually a gift from Ukrainian military personnel to our Western partners as a reminder that there is a war in our country and are given free of charge. One can say about the sale of soft toys in the form of “Shahed” that not only corrupt officials, but also some entrepreneurs are trying to make money from the war.”
In turn, experienced military personnel from other structures of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, commenting on the fact that in Ukraine entrepreneurs are selling toy “Shaheds”, persistently warned parents and cited as an example the advice of mine action experts.
“There is advice that, for example, children of primary school age should not be given models of any explosive objects. We are talking not only about the “Shahed” models, but about any others. If a child finds a real object like this in real life, he may want to play and put himself in danger,” the head of one of the departments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine told us.
At the same time, experts in the field of psychology add: “A preschool child cannot yet compare a soft toy and a real drone with each other, however, accustoming a child to the presence of a drone as a toy may be inappropriate in cases of neglect of the child’s safety by parents.”
Table: Psychological consequences of using “war toys”
| Impact | Positive influence | Negative influence |
|---|---|---|
| Adapting to Threats | Helps children understand the risks and dangers of war | Traumatic to the psyche, associated with real threats |
| Self-defense skills | Develops threat management skills | May cause disorientation in a real threat |
| Supporting the spirit of resistance | Gives a feeling of control and victory | May increase anxiety and fear |
Why do children need such toys?
Although some experts see educational potential in these toys, psychologists strongly recommend limiting children's play that may promote the perception of war as normal. The whip emphasizes:
“A stuffed Shahed toy may have an educational purpose, but it is important that parents explain this to the child and not just buy the fun.”
Experts also remind parents of the need to explain to their children the safety rules when finding debris from such drones in real life.
Conclusion: new reality or unwanted commerce?
The sale of toys reminiscent of the realities of war, like Shahed, causes a strong reaction from society. On the one hand, such toys can really teach children self-defense and survival, on the other hand, they can further aggravate mental trauma. As TSN reports, it is important to remember that most parents and children are not yet ready to perceive these symbols in a playful form, especially at a time when the threat from Shahed-136 remains part of everyday life in Ukraine.
On the website NAnews Readers can learn more about the psychological impact of war on children and how society reacts to its presence in children's games.
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