Russia Accelerates Militarization of Education: Drone Management Training Becomes Mandatory in Schools and Colleges
The Russian Federation is actively implementing a program to prepare its younger generation for modern military challenges through educational reforms.
According to British intelligence reports, over 500 schools and 30 colleges have already incorporated mandatory drone operation courses — focusing on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Currently, more than 2,500 teachers are trained to deliver these lessons, with the number of students involved rapidly increasing.
The Russian Ministry of Education aims to train one million specialists in unmanned systems by 2030, reflecting the ongoing push to develop related infrastructure.
Meanwhile, on the occupied territories of Ukraine, Russian forces are establishing specialized classes dedicated to collecting and servicing drones, indicating a systematic militarization of education in these regions.
British intelligence experts note that these steps are signs of further escalation of Russia’s military capabilities, especially in the context of its ongoing war with Ukraine.
Statements from Kremlin officials confirm this trend — Russia is developing a separate military branch focused on UAVs.
This development aligns with the use of drones by Russian forces in Ukraine, where unmanned systems are becoming an increasingly critical component of military strategy.
Analysts emphasize that the militarization of education is a strategic move by Kremlin leadership to expand and enhance drone capabilities in the long term.
This is among the first reports to specify concrete figures and goals for training UAV specialists, indicating a systematic approach to modernizing Russia’s defensive and offensive capacities through educational channels.