Russia woos students for its drone forces in Ukraine with large financial packages
By Andrew Osborn
Published on April 2, 2026.
Russia is targeting students for its drone forces in Ukraine with large financial packages. The recruitment comes as Russian forces continue to battle in Ukraine and as peace talks between the US and Ukraine stall due to the Iran war. The Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok is offering students a minimum of one year extendable academic leave and a monthly allowance of 240,000 roubles, plus free accommodation and grants. The Russian State Hydroelectric University in St Petersburg is also offering its students a significant financial package. The governor of the Ryazan region has ordered private and public companies to set recruitment quotas for workers to sign contracts with the Defence Ministry.
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