00:02 28-04-2026

Russia Opens Hotline on Student Recruitment to Drone Units

Russia introduces a hotline to report pressure on students joining drone units, stressing voluntary service and new rules on contracts and transfers.

Russia’s Defense Ministry has launched a dedicated hotline for reporting any instances of pressure on students to sign contracts for service in unmanned systems units.

The initiative was discussed during a meeting involving representatives from the ministries of education and science, as well as school and university leadership. The talks focused on recruitment into these units and the range of social support measures available to those who enlist.

Deputy Defense Minister and head of the military’s main political directorate, Army General Viktor Goremykin, stated that service contracts are offered for one, two, or three years, depending on the candidate’s choice. He emphasized that participation is strictly voluntary.

He also made clear that there are no plans to coerce students into joining the special military operation. Responsibility for ensuring timely discharge from service, he added, lies with commanders and personnel departments, alongside the central кадровое authority, which maintains individual records.

In addition, the ministry announced new safeguards for those serving in unmanned units. Personnel cannot be reassigned to other roles or transferred to different units without their consent. Further directives from the defense minister are expected by the end of April 2026, introducing a formal ban on such transfers and assigning personal responsibility to commanding officers.