Russian high school students will be able to learn to fly combat drones as of the new school year starting in September, according to the school curriculum released by the Russian Ministry of Education.

High school students in Russia will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the means of military use of drones or even how to carry out reconnaissance missions using drones.

They will also be able to carry out specific pilot drone actions as well as learn ways to deter enemy drones. The classes concerning these courses correspond to the age group of 15-17 years, in the context of the initial military training.

This education, which was applied during the Soviet period before it was withdrawn, starts again in the school year 2023-2024. The training program provides, among others, familiarization with combat weapons such as the Kalashnikov assault rifle and includes at least 140 teaching hours.

The introduction of such a course in schools will make it possible to systematically prepare citizens for a possible conflict with the enemy, MP Sergey Mironov said in November 2022.

Drones are being used massively in the war in Ukraine by both sides and Russian territory is the target of drone attacks almost daily.

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, various programs aimed at encouraging patriotism – with anti-Western content – have been introduced into Russian schools.

In this context, the school week starts with the national anthem and a flag-raising ceremony and debates have been introduced about what is important, especially in relation to the hostilities in Ukraine, and to justify the Russian attack on its neighboring country.

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