Russian Universities Recruit Students for New Drone Force with Salary and Education Benefits

Russian universities are advertising contracts in the country's newly formed drone forces with promises of high salaries, no front-line duty and a return to studies within a year with free tuition. The effort is part of an intensified recruitment drive that began in January to support the drone branch of the Russian army, which was established in November 2025.

The Defense Ministry announced the recruitment for the drone forces in January, seeking individuals with experience in flying drones, aircraft modeling, technology, electronics and radio engineering. Good analytical, vestibular and fine motor skills along with computer proficiency were listed as advantages.

A recruitment video posted to Telegram last week featured a former student describing his role as a contract pilot operating drones. Students from multiple universities described events on campus where military enlistment officials and veterans presented the opportunities.

Andrey, a student from the Krasnoyarsk region in Siberia, attended one such event in February at his university. He said participants were told about the benefits but not any potential drawbacks of signing a contract. "It was irritating because it felt forced," Andrey said in a Zoom interview last month.

"No one wants to join. No one is interested. " He requested that his last name, age and university name not be published. Danila, a student from Moscow, said his university's dean's office strongly encouraged attendance at a similar event with what was described as a potential employer.

The event was held by the Defense Ministry. Danila, who also withheld his last name and university name for safety reasons, said he declined to attend because he studies humanities. Both students reported seeing posters on campus and information on university websites promoting the drone force contracts.

At least 269 Russian universities and colleges have promoted the service, according to the student news portal Groza. This includes institutions in occupied parts of Ukraine. The Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok stated that students could earn as much as 5.5 million rubles, about $74,500, in the first year of service.

That compares with an average annual salary in Russia of around 1.25 million rubles, or about $17,000. The university also offered an extendable academic leave, tuition-free education upon return and a financial bonus from the institution itself. Other universities emphasized that recruits would sign a special contract with the Defense Ministry.

St. Petersburg’s Russian State Hydrometeorological University stated that students would carry out combat missions at a distance while receiving bonus payments from the local government. Rights activists have questioned the assurances given to students.

” His group has been contacted by students from universities and colleges across the country. Deputy Defense Minister Viktor Goremykin said last month that the government has no intention or ability to force students to participate in what Russia calls its special military operation.

The statement was issued after NBC News inquired about the contracts for students. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the offer applies equally to everyone with relevant competencies, including students. Timur Tukhvatullin with the human rights project Molnia said his organization has assisted students facing pressure from school administrators to sign contracts.

The level of pressure varies, he said. NBC News reviewed postings on websites and social media accounts of more than a dozen Russian universities that carried nearly identical messages urging students to serve in the drone forces. The recruitment occurs as both Russia and Ukraine compete to deploy drones on the battlefield.

Drone operators have become key targets for both sides, though this is not mentioned in the recruitment materials. Russia is sustaining heavy casualties in the conflict, now in its fifth year.

Recruitment Materials A billboard in St. Petersburg reads "The new ones.

The irreplaceable ones. Russian unmanned troops." University websites and social media accounts feature similar promotional language highlighting service as a way to be a hero for the country. One banner at the Ural College of Applied Arts and Design showed a drone pilot with glowing eyes.

Danila both described the presentations as unwelcome. "I study humanities, so it was weird for me to hear this offer," Danila said. Rights groups report varying experiences among students, with some administrators appearing more ideologically motivated in their outreach.