Russia recruits drone operators but sends them to infantry, ISW says
Kremlin recruits drone operators but sends them to infantry units (illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Russia is intensifying efforts to recruit personnel into the so-called unmanned systems forces. However, some of the recruits may also be used in regular ground units, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports.
As ISW notes, in recent days, the Russian Ministry of Defense has launched a federal campaign to recruit contract soldiers into the unmanned systems forces. Recruits are offered one-year contracts that formally envision service exclusively in unmanned systems units.
Candidates sought among students and IT specialists
The Russian Ministry of Defense is targeting young people with analytical abilities, computer literacy, good coordination, and vestibular stability. Priority is given to students and technology specialists.
In Russia, officials claim that contract soldiers cannot be transferred to infantry units and have the right to leave service after completing one year if they do not wish to extend their contracts.
Risk of forced redeployment to the front
At the same time, Russian opposition outlet Astra reports that since mid-January 2026, the Russian Ministry of Defense has been actively conducting recruitment campaigns at universities. According to students, they were pressured to sign standard contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense rather than separate agreements for the unmanned systems forces.
However, such a contract may allow military command to transfer recruits to infantry units and send them to the front line, as well as retain them in service even after the one-year contract expires.
Kremlin seeks ways to compensate for wartime losses
ISW reminds that the Kremlin is trying by all means to increase its mobilization resources due to heavy losses suffered by the Russian army at the front. In particular, Moscow uses arguments about protecting critical infrastructure to mask broader plans for training reservists.
In addition, Russia is focusing recruitment campaigns in central regions, attempting to avoid forced conscription in politically sensitive cities, including Moscow.
In November last year, Russia officially created a new branch of the armed forces — unmanned systems. At that time, it was reported that Russian forces had already formed regiments and units and had established command structures.
