Russia trains children for drone warfare, UK intelligence reveals details
Photos: Russia trains children for drone warfare (state media)
Russia is rapidly expanding drone training into its education system, introducing courses for children and youth in over 500 schools and 30 colleges, where practical training centers have already been established, the UK Ministry of Defense reports.
Currently, more than 2,500 Russian teachers have been trained to deliver drone-related classes. The initiative follows Education Minister Valery Falkov’s plan, announced in May 2024, to prepare one million UAV specialists by 2030.
Putin pushes drone militarization
In June, Vladimir Putin announced the creation of a separate branch of specific uncrewed drone forces within Russia’s army - part of the Kremlin’s strategy to develop autonomous technologies and integrate them into military doctrine.
UK intelligence assesses these steps as a clear sign of the further militarization of Russian society through education.
Consequences for war against Ukraine
Experts note that Russia’s intensified focus on UAV training is directly tied to the war in Ukraine. Moscow is learning from battlefield drone use and aims to massively scale up its arsenal.
According to UK intelligence, Russia is almost certainly seeking to expand both the scale and capabilities of its drone fleet in the long term—posing a growing threat not only to Ukraine but also to regional security.
Earlier reports from UK intelligence highlighted how Russia’s education system is becoming increasingly politicized, militarized, and ideologized in line with Putin’s objectives.
Meanwhile, public backing for the war remains high inside Russia. According to the Levada Center, approval of the war against Ukraine rose to 78% in July 2025, up from 74% in June. The share of Russians opposing the war remained steady at 16%.
