Russian Student Killed Amid Massive Recruitment Drive for Drone Troops

The death of 23-year-old Valeriy Averin marks the first known instance of a Russian student killed after joining the military through a new, large-scale recruitment campaign targeting students for the “unmanned systems” forces.

A resident of Buryatia, Averin signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense on January 3, 2026. He completed training as a drone operator on March 24 and was killed near Lugansk on April 6—just three months after his service began.

Averin’s foster mother, Oksana Afanasieva, revealed that her son had previously been rejected for mandatory conscription, reportedly because he was described as “mentally unstable.” To hide his enlistment, Averin told his mother he was leaving to earn money at Wildberries.

The Promise of the ‘Special Contract’

The recruitment drive for the newly created unmanned systems branch began in late 2025, following an announcement in mid-November by Defense Minister Andrey Belousov. The ministry specifically targeted individuals under 35, citing their receptivity to “new technologies and speeds.”

Students in universities and colleges were offered a “special contract” promising a service term of only one year, which included three months of training. While initially targeting technical students or those facing expulsion, the campaign expanded to all students, including those at the Herzen Pedagogical University.

Financial incentives played a major role, with the Ministry of Defense offering several million rubles in sign-on bonuses, supplemented by additional payments from some educational institutions. Administrators promised that students could return to their studies after their service.

Coercion and Institutional Pressure

Recruitment efforts often took place during “lessons of courage” and exhibitions of engineering weaponry, such as those organized by military unit 63411 at the Buryat Republican Technical School of Construction and Industrial Technologies, where Averin studied.

Reports of administrative pressure surfaced frequently in February and March. Maria Barinova, a former advisor to the rector of Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), claimed the university had implemented recruitment quotas, alleging that 32 out of 267 students were slated for deployment in February.

FEFU officials dismissed these quota claims as “fake,” stating that students make the decision to serve voluntarily, though the university maintains it creates “favorable conditions” for those who choose to sign contracts.

The Lethal Reality for Drone Operators

Despite promotional claims that being a drone operator is safe and lucrative, the actual risk is severe. Specialized groups from both sides now actively hunt drone operators, attempting to locate and strike them before they can deploy their systems.

Data compiled by the BBC Russian Service and “Mediazona” indicates that at least 920 Russian drone operators have been killed since the start of the war. This mortality rate is comparable to that of artillery units.

219,356 Russian military deaths have been confirmed by name. However, experts estimate the actual total could exceed 400,000 people when accounting for those not publicly reported.

Future Outlook

Given the current trends, recruitment pressure in educational institutions may increase as the military seeks more tech-savvy personnel. The gap between the promised “one-year contract” and the reality of battlefield attrition could likely lead to further tensions between students and university administrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the specific terms offered to students joining the drone forces?
Students were told they would sign a special contract for one year of service, which included three months of training.

How did the Ministry of Defense incentivize students?
The Ministry of Defense offered several million rubles in “sign-on” payments, and some universities provided additional financial incentives.