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Contracts for students do not imply drone operator service and the right to dismissal, lawyers confirm

The Ulyanovsk College of Culture and Arts published an addendum to the contract for students, which is actively advertised in Russian universities. According to the text, those who sign can be sent to the infantry instead of drone troops under the pretext that they did not meet the requirements – selection will take place after the contract is concluded. This was reported by human rights activist Artem Klyga. In addition, points in the document regarding the possibility of early dismissal and payments for the destruction of equipment are legally void, notes Klyga. The first contradicts Putin's decree on mobilization, the second has no legislative basis. "Legal wording is a bad thing for recruiters. Much more can be concluded from them than from advertising brochures and posters," wrote the human rights activist. Earlier, the administration of the Higher School of Economics confirmed the same information to human rights activists. They stated that they send students to war in Ukraine on a regular contract – without the declared guarantees of returning to their studies and dismissal from service. According to the publication "Groza", campaigning among students demanding to sign a contract is taking place in at least 41 universities and colleges.

'Echo': At Least 70 Russian Educational Institutions Recruiting Students for War

At least 70 educational institutions in Russia are urging students to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense and go to war against Ukraine, according to 'Echo'. Journalists found recruitment messages in 57 universities, 13 colleges, and technical schools across 23 regions of Russia and annexed Crimea. The publication notes that the actual number of institutions involved in such recruitment may be significantly higher. Some institutions offer students large payments and promise 'guaranteed dismissal' upon contract completion, while others threaten punishment for failing to attend recruitment meetings. Human rights activist Artem Klyga previously reported that students at the Higher School of Economics, who were promised dismissal after a year, are being signed to regular contracts, negating any guaranteed dismissal. Furthermore, Klyga noted that the contract for the Ulyanovsk College of Culture and Arts does not guarantee service in drone troops, with recruits potentially being sent to infantry if they don't meet requirements.

Drone festival held at HSE. Students offered to join drone troops and go to war in Ukraine

A drone festival was held at HSE in Moscow on February 24, the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine. As "Novaya-Europe" found out, military personnel attended the event at the university. They communicate with students and offer them to go to war in Ukraine by joining the drone troops. The Russian Ministry of Defense also distributes booklets to students, which talk about army service and benefits for those who serve under contract in unmanned system troops. Among other things, the festival features advertising for the tactical group "Stalin's Falcons." As "Radio Liberty" wrote, this unit trains people as operators for "Shahed" type drones. The group does not hide that it is associated with the "Alabuga" Special Economic Zone, where the Russian version of Iranian drones is produced. As "Novaya-Europe" noted, guests at the event were offered to control flying and ground drones, navigate a race track with neon gates, use drone control and assembly simulators, and also see drone developments and prototypes. Earlier, HSE management offered students facing expulsion a year of service in the unmanned troops of the Russian Armed Forces. Students were promised guaranteed discharge from military service, an academic leave for the contract period, payments, and training.