Russia has increasingly been recruiting students and graduates from vocational and higher education institutions into military units operating drones, promising them well-paid jobs and technical training. However, accounts from young Russians who signed up under this program reveal a starkly different reality—many end up on the front lines despite being told they would be in safer roles. For example, 23-year-old Valeriy Averin was killed in a mortar attack near Luhansk shortly after joining a drone unit, while 18-year-old Vladislav Gorbunov died four months later after being transferred from infantry to drone operations. Families report that recruits were misled about the safety of these positions, with some being promised work at companies like Wildberries before being sent to war. The recruitment campaign intensified in early 2024 as Russia entered its fifth year of war in Ukraine, targeting students with poor academic records or those considering dropping out. While recruiters offer financial incentives and promises of returning to study, legal experts warn that once a conscription contract is signed, it automatically extends until the war ends.
Tendenz-Einschätzung (Links): The article highlights the exploitation and misinformation faced by Russian youth recruited into the military, emphasizing human rights concerns and the discrepancy between official propaganda and the grim realities on the ground. It includes personal stories of casualties and critiques of the state
