Russia is recruiting students to the war as drone operators

The Russian government is actively recruiting students from universities, colleges, and technical schools into the armed forces to replenish troops depleted by the war in Ukraine, according to Zamin.uz.

To attract young people, they are being offered the role of drone operators—a position portrayed as modern, high-tech, and relatively safe due to its distance from the front lines.

However, investigations by influential publications reveal that these promises are rarely fulfilled in practice. For example, students like twenty-three-year-old Valeriy Averin, eighteen-year-old Vladislav Gorbunov, and Rahim Abdullin—who signed military contracts intending to serve as drone operators—were killed shortly after being deployed to the front.

This highlights a stark gap between the promised safety and the actual conditions on the ground. According to human rights advocates, students are lured with attractive offers such as one-year service terms, high pay, and the possibility of continuing their education afterward.

In reality, contracts signed under wartime conditions can be automatically extended indefinitely. Moreover, no one guarantees that those who sign up will actually serve in drone units.

In many cases, regardless of their training, they are sent to other, more dangerous infantry units. According to international analysts, Russia’s confirmed losses in the war have exceeded 230,000 personnel.

Independent experts suggest the actual number of casualties may be closer to 500,000. Facing such massive losses, the state is mobilizing all available resources—including young specialists—to sustain the war effort.

Investigations show that in some educational institutions, students with poor academic performance or those planning academic leave due to financial difficulties are being strongly pressured to sign military contracts. Teachers and administrators are encouraging students to enlist under patriotic banners.

This situation demonstrates that the influence of military recruiters extends beyond the front lines, deeply affecting the country’s education system and the future of its youth.