Russia is actively recruiting students from universities and colleges to replenish its military forces. This initiative follows substantial troop losses in Ukraine. Valery Averin, aged 23, was among the first known students killed after joining Russia’s drone forces.
Averin, a final-year student, had no prior military experience before his recruitment. His foster mother, Oksana Afanayeva, reported he was deployed to a frontline assault despite prior drone training. Two other former students, Vladislav Gorbunov and Rakhim Abdullin, also died shortly after signing military contracts.
This recruitment campaign began early this year to sustain Russia's war effort into a fifth year. It specifically targets students struggling academically or considering a study break. Recruits receive a one-year contract for service in emerging 'unmanned systems troops'. This specialized unit focuses on drone operations, a critical component of the ongoing conflict.
Drone units are presented as an elite and technologically advanced path for young recruits. Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov stated in November 2025 that the force aims to attract under-35s. These younger recruits are considered more adaptable to new technologies and faster operational speeds.
Recruitment meetings have appeared at educational institutions across Russia. The BBC Russian service documented recruitment activities in at least 95 universities and colleges by late February. Student publication Groza later reported almost 270 universities and colleges promoting these contracts.
Students are promised significant financial payments and valuable technical skills. For example, volunteers in Moscow could receive at least 5 million roubles (equivalent to $57,000 or £43,000) in their first year. Some universities also offer additional benefits like budget-funded places and easier admission to postgraduate courses.
Lawyers and rights activists, however, warn that initial promises might be unreliable. President Vladimir Putin's partial mobilization decree of September 2022 extended military contracts indefinitely. This means a recruit is unlikely to leave after the promised 12 months of service.
The BBC has verified 230,407 Russian soldier and officer deaths. This figure comes from analyzing cemeteries, war memorials, government registers, and obituaries. Military experts believe this verified number represents 45-55% of the total casualties. This suggests the real death toll could range between 417,000 and 509,500.
The UK's GCHQ, a prominent spy agency, estimated the number of Russian deaths at almost 500,000 in May. Replacing fallen and injured soldiers is crucial for Russia to maintain its full-scale war in Ukraine.
These recruitment efforts underscore the high human cost of the conflict. The increasing reliance on student recruitment highlights the pressure on Russia's military to maintain troop numbers. The discrepancy between recruitment promises and actual service conditions raises concerns for potential recruits.