Thread by @Mylovanov

Russia is offering students up to $87,000 a year to drop university and fight in Ukraine. Positions available: drone operator, drone engineer, technical specialist. Most universities received recruitment quotas they must fill, writes Reuters. 1/

The full package at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok: first-year salary of $68,000, one-off payment of $31,000 after training, monthly allowance of $3,000, plus $2,500 from the university. Free accommodation. Fees covered on return. 2/

The Kremlin confirmed the recruitment drive. Spokesman Peskov: "This is a completely open offer — an offer to join a new type of unit." T he drone forces were created at the end of 2025 at Putin's direct order. 3/

Medvedev said more than 400,000 people signed up for Russia's military last year. Over 80,000 have joined so far in 2026. Moscow insists it is not running short of recruits. Ukraine says it kills Russians faster than Russia can recruit them. Moscow dismisses this. 4/

Ryazan governor Pavel Malkov ordered private and public companies to meet army recruitment quotas. Companies with up to 300 workers must provide 2 recruits. Up to 500 employees — 3 recruits. Over 500 workers — 5 recruits. 5/

Reports suggest students who failed exams or carry academic debt have faced pressure to sign up — including threats of expulsion. Reuters could not independently confirm this. Universities and the Defense Ministry say signing up is entirely voluntary. 6/

Russia launched a new billboard campaign showing a young drone operator with glowing eyes in hi-tech glasses under the title: "The New Indispensables." This is year five of the war. 7X

Source: reuters.com/world/europe/r…

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