Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial mobilization of reservists in late 2022, a hugely unpopular measure that led to a mass exodus of men who feared being drafted into the war. Since then, the Kremlin has stayed clear of announcing any new mobilization efforts.
But what’s been happening to Russian students in recent months amounts to “quiet mobilization” by the government, according to Grigory Sverdlin with the Idite Lesom organization that helps Russians avoid military duty in Ukraine. In a post on X last month, Sverdlin said his group has been approached by students from universities and colleges across the country.
The Kremlin has sought to dispel what it says are “myths and rumors” about the recruitment drive, with Deputy Defense Minister Viktor Goremykin saying last month: “We have no intention and ability to force students to participate in the special military operation.”
The Defense Ministry issued that public statement after NBC News reached out for comment on the nature of the contracts for students but did not hear back.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last month that an “offer” for those who have the relevant competencies to join the drone force applies equally to everyone, including students.
Student news portal Groza estimated last month that at least 269 Russian universities and colleges had promoted service in the drone forces among their students, including those in occupied parts of Ukraine. There is no official data on how many students have been recruited so far.
Timur Tukhvatullin with Molnia, a human rights project helping Russian students defend their right to education, told NBC News they have had their lawyers get involved in cases of school administrators pressuring students into signing a contract, but the amount of pressure students encounter can vary greatly. “Some might be more ideologically charged and, maybe, they might start believing themselves that they don’t mind sending their students to war,” he added.
NBC News reviewed postings on websites and social media accounts of more than a dozen Russian universities and colleges, most of which had a virtually identical message: Sign up to serve in the drone forces for money and other benefits, but more importantly, to be your country’s hero.
The Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok promised its students an extendable academic leave and tuition-free education upon return from the war in a message on its website, which claimed students could make as much as 5.5 million rubles (about $74,500) in the first year of service alone, a substantial sum for young people in the region. It also promised a financial bonus from the university itself. An average annual salary in Russia hovers around 1.25 million rubles or around $17,000.
Like many others, the Moscow State University of Civil Engineering emphasized in its online memo that its students would be signing a “special contract” with the Defense Ministry, while St. Petersburg’s Russian State Hydrometeorological University promised students who sign up would “carry out combat missions at a distance” while receiving bonus payments from the local government.