Russian Schools to Train Students in Drone Piloting and Manufacturing

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, the Kremlin has announced a new program that will further militarize schools and universities, preparing the next generation for combat, reports El Pais. Starting in the upcoming school year, Russian students will learn how to manufacture and operate the lethal drones currently targeting Ukraine.

Ministry of Education to Purchase Over 17,000 Drones

The Russian Ministry of Education plans to acquire more than 17,000 drones this year to support the new educational initiative. However, questions remain about whether teachers will have sufficient knowledge to effectively teach students about the unmanned aircraft. An alternative approach may involve soldiers and Ukraine war veterans, who already visit schools to deliver a pro-Kremlin perspective on the conflict, instructing students on drone handling.

Specialized Drone-Piloting Classrooms and Training Centers

The program will be implemented in hundreds of schools this year, with the long-term goal of establishing 4,872 specialized drone-piloting classrooms in schools and 380 separate practical training centers nationwide by 2030. These facilities will include areas for drone training and manufacturing, equipped with 3D printers and repair tools.

Drones: A Crucial Element in Modern Warfare

President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that the lack of drones is a serious problem for Russian troops, calling it “one of our Achilles’ heels.” As unmanned civilian drones have proven valuable in various sectors, the Kremlin is now focusing on their military applications, recognizing their significance in modern warfare.

Military Presence in Russian Schools

The military is becoming a regular feature in Russian schools, with visits by Ukrainian war veterans to classrooms becoming increasingly common over the past year. These visits have occasionally sparked controversy, such as when a Wagner mercenary with a criminal past spoke to students about patriotism.

Revival of Soviet-Era Basic Military Training

The Kremlin has revived a Soviet tradition of providing basic military training to minors before they are called up for compulsory military service between the ages of 18 and 30. The new subject, “Fundamentals of Security and Homeland Defense,” will be taught starting September 1, occupying 36 hours per year and including firearms training and first aid.

Gradual Militarization of Russian Society

The ongoing war in Ukraine has brought about changes in Russian society, with a gradual militarization of all layers, including schools. In the 2022 school year, a compulsory subject called “Important conversations” was introduced, where students learn Kremlin-dictated slogans and patriotic lessons.

Rewriting History Books

In the 2023 school year, Putin’s advisor, Vladimir Medinsky, rewrote history books for high school courses, presenting a distorted view of events from the last decades of the Soviet Union to the present, including the war in Ukraine. The textbooks omit and manipulate information to support the Kremlin’s narrative.

As Russia continues its war in Ukraine, the Kremlin is taking steps to militarize the education system, preparing the next generation for combat. The introduction of drone piloting and manufacturing training in schools, alongside basic military training and a distorted historical narrative, reflects the government’s efforts to shape the minds of young Russians and ensure their readiness for future conflicts.

Photo credits X / The Informant