Russia recruits university students into drone forces with pay and tuition relief amid reports of coercion

The article notes that universities and colleges are actively promoting military contracts and that recruitment campaigns are led by university administrators, sometimes with threats about academic standing for those who refuse.

Lawyer Artem Klyga stated that contracts can’t be terminated until the Special Military Operation ends and recruits could be transferred to other branches, including front-line units.

Groza reported hundreds of appeals from students and parents from dozens of universities seeking help to avoid conscription.

Promotional materials at St. Petersburg State Medical University say priority is given to e-sports players, drone pilots, gamers and programmers, with offers of up to 3.4 million rubles.

The Moscow State Academy of Law and Plekhanov Russian University of Economics have formed detachments for potential student recruits.

The Far Eastern Federal University confirmed it offers academic leave for the duration of military service and free tuition and accommodation upon return.

Pamphlets distributed at Bauman Moscow State Technical University promise a one-year unmanned systems stint with pay above 5 million rubles and free tuition on return; other universities are promoting similar programs and veteran status.

In the Sverdlovsk region, only 21 students have agreed to sign a contract for military service over the past five months, according to Dmitry Demenkov, head of the Yekaterinburg recruitment center.

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education denied reports of expulsions to coerce students into signing service contracts, the Interfax news agency reported.

A Defense Ministry official said last month that students sign on voluntarily and aren’t forced into contracts.

The BBC reported that the first known death of a student recruit occurred in April 2026, three months into his service.