russia intensifies recruitment of students into the army in TOT
russia continues its campaign to recruit students into military service, using universities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine as a recruitment tool.
▫️ In particular, throughout March, an increase in recruitment efforts to the so-called UAV units has been observed. Announcements about enlistment, along with related promotional materials, are being widely disseminated on the information platforms of local higher education institutions and are also placed directly within educational facilities.
▫️ Students are offered to sign contracts, with promises of “easy service,” work with drones, and discharge upon completion of the term. However, there is a growing number of reports indicating that, in practice, the terms of these “student” contracts do not differ from standard service in the russian army, and signing them does not guarantee assignment specifically to UAV units. Moreover, such contracts are effectively open-ended, as they may be extended regardless of the servicemember’s will.
This reflects the systematic use of the educational environment to draw young people from occupied territories into the war. The kremlin has turned universities into an instrument of mobilization policy, effectively undermining their educational function.
