Russia top 50 universities are reportedly recruiting students for the army

Nearly all of Russia’s top 50 universities have begun recruiting students to sign military contracts, according to the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe.

The Russian media reported on 25/08/2026 that 47 of Russia’s 50 top-ranked universities are recruiting students to sign military contracts, while 32 of the institutions also run training programmes for drone operators.

Some universities even advertise contract military service on their websites and social media, most often promoting enlistment in the Unmanned Systems Forces (a branch conducting drone warfare).

According to Novaya Gazeta Europe, the ads promise students career prospects and high pay, claiming that service will last one year. But human rights advocates say this is misleading, as recruits sign a standard…