Russia to Roll Out Mandatory Drone Course for Over 250,000 Students
Russia is mandating drone warfare training across 19 universities, targeting up to 250,000 students to feed its unmanned forces pipeline.
Russia is set to implement a basic unmanned systems course across more than 19 universities in the country, a move seen as an expansion of efforts to integrate military training into higher education.
According to the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), the mandatory program could train up to 250,000 students in universities and community colleges, equipping them with skills Moscow intends to apply in its war with Ukraine.
The course will be officially introduced to all transportation universities across the country starting September 1.
The move follows earlier reports of students being recruited into aerial drone units at the Russian University of Transport, where participants were briefed on service with unmanned forces and reportedly asked to sign preliminary paperwork outlining contract terms.
“The Kremlin is increasingly integrating the education system into the state’s military machine, viewing youth exclusively as a human resource for the war against Ukraine,” CCD stated.
Recruiting Students for Service
Russian universities have reportedly become recruitment grounds for the military, with some students facing expulsion being offered one year of service with unmanned units instead of continuing their studies.
During this period, students are granted academic leave and may resume their studies after completing service.
“The militarization of universities is yet another confirmation that the Putin regime is preparing for a long war and views youth solely as an expendable resource for it,” CCD wrote.
Source: Drone Front
