Russia turns to universities to recruit cannon fodder for its war in Ukraine

"Cannon fodder" at Russian universities

At least 47 of Russia’s 50 leading universities are encouraging students to sign contracts with the Defense Ministry, the outlet reports.

For example, at least 46 of the top 50 universities are recruiting students for the unmanned systems forces. At 32 of those universities, educational programs focused on unmanned aerial vehicles are also available.

Other military formations are recruiting students as well:

• National Research University Higher School of Economics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration and Moscow Aviation Institute are offering students the opportunity to join the BARS Moscow volunteer unit;
• medical universities are encouraging doctors and medical residents to join the military;
• Kazan Federal University is urging students to go to Africa with the Defense Ministry’s Africa Corps.

Human rights activists warn that instead of Africa, Russian recruits could ultimately be sent to Ukraine.

How the recruitment works

Recruitment methods range from advertising on university websites to direct coercion.

Information about military contracts is publicly available, while recruitment is also taking place on university campuses and at branch campuses, the outlet reports.

What students are promised:

• "Only 1 year" of service

• High pay

• Career growth

However, human rights activists say this is a standard Defense Ministry contract that does not provide a right to discharge and does not guarantee that recruits will serve specifically as drone operators.

Recruitment tactics are also becoming increasingly sophisticated:

• drone festivals;
• urging students to recruit their relatives for contracts;
• enlistment drives embedded in educational questionnaires;
• ceremonial farewell events for recruits;
• reports highlighting the military achievements of former students serving in Russia’s armed forces.

Russia is carrying out a covert mobilization. As authorities find it increasingly difficult to recruit people willing to go to war, they are stepping up pressure on potential contract soldiers.

It was also reported that in July, Russian military officers from St. Petersburg inspected the Kaliningrad exclave to assess the readiness of local residents for mobilization.

In addition, preparations of training grounds for a possible new wave of mobilization are already underway in several Russian regions.