Russia is increasingly recruiting students into its military as battlefield losses in Ukraine continue to rise.
Russia has expanded its student military recruitment campaign by encouraging university, college and vocational school students to join its drone forces. The programme offers financial incentives, technical training and promises of a one-year service term.
Several young recruits have already been killed after joining the programme. Among them was 23-year-old construction student Valery Averin, who trained as a drone operator before dying in eastern Ukraine. Other student recruits, including 18-year-olds Vladislav Gorbunov and Rakhim Abdullin, were also killed within months of signing military contracts.
The recruitment drive comes as Russia seeks to replace heavy battlefield losses after more than four years of war in Ukraine. Independent analysis has verified more than 230,000 Russian military deaths, while experts estimate the real figure could exceed 400,000. Human rights advocates have also raised concerns that some students face pressure to enlist, despite promises of safer service in drone units.
Russia’s growing reliance on student recruitment highlights the increasing strain the Ukraine war is placing on the country’s military and civilian institutions.
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