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Russian Universities Face Backlash Over Drone Recruitment Tactics

1/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Moscow's Higher School of Economics is offering 5.2 million rubles ($68,600) for one-year drone-unit tours.
Legal experts warn the recruitment could mislead students into combat positions, drawing criticism for misrepresentation.
Artyom Klyga, a lawyer, says all military contracts are indefinite because of a mobilization decree by President Vladimir Putin.
Other universities, including the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, are using similar recruitment tactics.

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Story summary

Moscow's Higher School of Economics is offering 5.2 million rubles ($68,600) for one-year drone-unit tours.
Legal experts warn the recruitment could mislead students into combat positions, drawing criticism for misrepresentation.
Artyom Klyga, a lawyer, says all military contracts are indefinite because of a mobilization decree by President Vladimir Putin.
Other universities, including the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, are using similar recruitment tactics.