Report: Russian military pressuring students to work as drone pilots

Russia's military is pressuring students to serve as drone pilots in the war against Ukraine, the independent Telegram channel Faridaily reported on Thursday.

It said the Education Ministry has even set a quota requiring universities and colleges to recruit 2% of their students for drone units, which were newly formed in 2025.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said he was not aware of any such directive.

"A new branch of service has indeed been formed with certain requirements, and new cadres are needed for this kind of force," he was quoted by the TASS news agency as saying. "There is an offer for those who have the relevant skills."

There have been more than 200 recruitment events at Russian higher-education institutions since last autumn, Faridaily reported.

Promises and pressure were used to try to convince male and female students to join the drone units. In addition to money, recruits have been promised that they can continue their studies without difficulty after a one-year contract.

Large state universities in Moscow and St Petersburg also pledged additional payments of their own.

Drones ubiquitous at the front

At the front in Ukraine, First Person View (FPV) drones have become an important weapon for both sides. Thanks to small cameras, pilots can see the flight of their drones. Thousands of these aircraft search the battlefield for enemy soldiers and vehicles and attack them.

At some universities, the report said Russian military documents were made public indicating that the new drone force is to reach a strength of 78,000 men this year.