---
title: "Russian top universities recruit students for drone units"
url: https://moldova1.md/p/83956/russian-top-universities-recruit-students-for-drone-units
published: 2026-08-26T05:30:00Z
language: en
author: "Redacția  TRM"
section: "Economic"
source: moldova1.md
---

# Russian top universities recruit students for drone units

> Forty-seven of Russia's top 50 universities are actively urging students to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense, according to an investigation by Novaya Gazeta Europe cited by Meduza. The findings are based on the 2026 Raex academic rankings and institutional announcements.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/ad80820f-d51c-4d06-ad0e-8142e112f24a.jpg)

Forty-seven of Russia's top 50 universities are actively urging students to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense, according to an investigation by Novaya Gazeta Europe cited by Meduza. The findings are based on the 2026 Raex academic rankings and institutional announcements.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/fc1a55a2-310c-48db-bb1e-fe46a19adf88.jpg)

Official websites and social media channels across 44 institutions feature direct recruitment notices, primarily targeting unmanned aerial systems units. Several leading schools, including the Higher School of Economics and the Moscow Aviation Institute, also promote enlistment in the BARS "Moscow" volunteer detachment to counter drone attacks.

**Targeted recruitment and specialized training**

Specialized drone programs operate across 32 premier universities, while 12 institutions have hosted formal recruitment drives highlighting the benefits of military service. Elite technical hubs such as Bauman Moscow State Technical University have also integrated dedicated drone curricula into their academic offerings.

Recruitment pressure on campuses began escalating in late 2025, supported by financial incentives alongside threats of academic penalties, including bans on retaking exams. Reports from the independent outlet Faridaily indicate that university leaders were instructed in early 2026 to secure contracts from at least 2% of their student bodies.

**Expanding drone warfare quotas**

The Russian Ministry of Defense aims to enlist 78,800 personnel for unmanned systems operations by the end of 2026, according to investigative outlet IStories.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**