500 Russian schools are teaching children how to fly drones – British intelligence

The UK Ministry of Defence has reported that the Russian authorities are actively introducing training for children and young people in the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) within the educational system. According to intelligence, such classes are already being held in more than 500 schools and 30 colleges in Russia, where specialized practical training centers have been created.

More than 2,500 teachers have been trained to implement the program. These measures are part of an initiative announced by Russian Minister of Education and Science Valery Falkov in May 2024. According to the plan, by 2030 the country intends to train one million UAV specialists.

On June 12, 2025, Russian President Putin announced the creation of a separate unmanned forces unit within the Russian Armed Forces. British intelligence sees this as confirmation of the growing role of drones in the Russian-Ukrainian war and Russia's desire to expand its technical capabilities in this area.

British experts also point to the systematic inclusion of military technologies in educational processes, which, in their opinion, indicates a long-term strategy of militarization of youth in Russia.