Unmanned aerial vehicles have played a vital – and devastating – role in the war in Ukraine.
Starting in September, Russian schoolchildren will learn how to operate combat drones.
Senator Artem Sheikin announced the classes, in which students will learn to operate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as part of the “Fundamentals of Life Safety” curriculum.
Students in grades 10 and 11 will also learn how to handle assault rifles and hand grenades.
The Russian Defense Ministry has already approved the plans, which will be put into practice from the first day of September, according to the RIA news agency.
Deputy Defense Minister Ruslan Tsalikov stated that the program will include basic operational information and methods to counter enemy weapons, including UAVs.
Drones have been used to identify – and attack – enemy positions in the Ukrainian war.
Both sides have resorted to airstrikes against military and civilian targets in the bloody battle raging on the front lines, with Russia targeting residential areas with drones.
The list of drones used in battle is extensive. It now includes the Turkish Bayraktar TB2, the American Switchblade 300 and 600, and the Iranian Shahed 136, to name just a few.
Citing defense intelligence, Britain’s Defense Ministry called the program an effort to impose “militarized patriotism.”
“Russia’s renewed emphasis on military induction of children is largely an effort to cultivate a culture of militarized patriotism rather than develop true capability,” it said in a statement.