Russia’s Higher Education and Science Ministry told the rectors of the country’s largest universities that at least 2 percent of students must sign contracts with the Defense Ministry, the independent Russian political newsletter Faridaily reported, citing a source acquainted with the rector of a Moscow university. A source in the leadership of a Siberian university confirmed the information.
The meeting was held in early 2026.
About 2.2 million men were enrolled in Russian universities as of 2025. If universities meet the quota, 44,000 of these students would sign contracts with the Defense Ministry. If the same requirement applies to technical colleges, that number would rise to 76,000, Faridaily wrote.
Reports that universities had begun recruiting students to sign Defense Ministry contracts and deploy to the war in Ukraine emerged in late 2025. Students have been lured with additional payments from their universities and threatened with being denied the chance to retake failed exams. Most recruitment has targeted the drone forces.
The Defense Ministry plans to recruit 78,800 people into its drone forces by the end of 2026, the independent Russian investigative outlet iStories reported. Documents obtained by the outlet said 58,000 of those recruits were to come from students, graduates of drone-piloting courses, former servicemen from aviation units, and women with relevant training. The remaining 20,800 were to be drawn from conscripts and active-duty servicemen transferred from other units.
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