January 23, 2026
Moscow’s HSE University admits expelled students who sign contracts with the Russian army cannot return to their studies as promised
The Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow has acknowledged that students who agree to sign one-year contracts with Russia’s Ministry of Defense in order to avoid expulsion will not be able to return to their studies after their term of service is complete, despite previous assurances from the university
TL;DR
- HSE in Moscow has acknowledged that students signing one-year contracts with the Ministry of Defense to avoid expulsion cannot return to studies afterward.
- Previous assurances from HSE suggested students would serve one year in drone units and be readmitted.
- A university administrator confirmed contracts are standard, open-ended military contracts, not limited to one year or drone units.
- Students are not protected from reassignment to other units, including assault formations.
- Human rights activists uncovered these discrepancies through correspondence with HSE.