January 30, 2026
Russian colleges are offering struggling students ‘one-year’ army contracts. Lawyers warn it’s a trap.
Russian colleges are offering failing students a new way to avoid expulsion: join the military for a year as a drone operator. Schools claim these “special contracts” can be terminated after 12 months, unlike standard service agreements, which remain in force until the end of Vladimir Putin’s “partial mobilization.” Lawyers warn there’s no such thing. The outlet Cherta examined how colleges are helping the Kremlin recruit soldiers for its war in Ukraine — and what students may actually be getting themselves into. Meduza summarizes the outlet’s reporting.
TL;DR
- Russian colleges are offering students facing expulsion a "special contract" to serve as drone operators for one year.
- These contracts reportedly offer a signing bonus, standard military pay, academic leave, and deployment away from the front lines.
- Students are told they can return to their studies after the year of service.
- Lawyers and organizations assisting deserters doubt the ability to terminate these contracts after one year, citing existing mobilization laws.
- The offered financial incentives align with those for regular contract soldiers, not volunteer formations, suggesting they are standard military service agreements.
- Universities face no legal responsibility for providing misleading information about army contracts, though threats of expulsion for refusal are illegal.