Russian universities are actively recruiting students as drone pilots for the military by offering financial incentives, including free tuition and up to $70,000 for a one-year service commitment. The recruitment campaigns claim that these roles will allow students to avoid frontline combat in Ukraine. Despite these assurances, at least one student drone pilot has already died in combat, with additional casualties potentially unreported.
The recruitment offers were first observed on pamphlets distributed at Bauman Moscow State Technical University, according to Bloomberg. Other universities are enticing students with incentives such as tax holidays, loan forgiveness, and even free land.
An independent investigation by the magazine Groza identified at least 270 Russian academic institutions promoting military contracts to their students in the fifth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
Targeting 2 Million University Students
This recruitment drive specifically targets approximately 2 million male students enrolled in Russian universities. Authorities are prioritizing gamers and students with technical skills, as these individuals may possess the aptitude required to operate drones effectively. The Russian Defense Ministry has explicitly called for recruits with expertise in drone operation, model aircraft piloting, electronics, radio engineering, and computer skills, as reported by NBC News.
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