Russia officially acknowledges forced recruitment of students for war

At the same time, the launch of a “hotline” for complaints was announced – something that, in fact, confirms the widespread nature of this practice, Ukrinform reports, citing the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD).

According to the CCD, such statements at a high level indicate a recruitment crisis: young people are increasingly realizing that promises of so-called elite service as drone operators and one-year contracts are a trap. Under Russia’s current “partial mobilization,” any contract is effectively indefinite, and the so-called “student exemption” offers no guarantees against being sent to assault units.

As a result, the number of volunteers is decreasing, while universities’ attempts to fulfill mobilization quotas handed down from the Kremlin have gone beyond “the bounds of decency,” the CCD notes.

“Through such statements, Russia’s Ministry of Defense is trying to preserve the illusion of a legal framework in the country. The Kremlin regime has effectively shifted the higher education system into serving the war effort, treating students solely as a resource to replenish army losses,” the Center for Countering Disinformation emphasized.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, Russia has launched a propaganda campaign aimed at involving teenagers in the production of Shahed strike drones.

Photo: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine