As the Russia-Ukraine war drags on, disturbing reports suggest that President Vladimir Putin is planning to involve children as young as seven in the country’s drone warfare strategy. While not yet deployed on the battlefield, children in Russia will soon be taught drone technology as part of their regular school curriculum. Starting next year, drone operation will be introduced at the elementary level, and by the ninth grade, students will reportedly learn how to assemble combat drones used in strikes on Ukrainian cities.

Though seven-year-olds are not directly engaged in the ongoing conflict, Russian institutions are preparing them to become future drone pilots. From secondary school onward, many students are being funneled into specialized institutes such as Alabuga Polytechnic College, where they undergo training in building and handling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These UAVs play a central role in Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and cities.

Conditions at Drone Training Colleges
Alabuga Polytechnic College, one of the main centers for such training, lies about 965 kilometers west of Moscow. Parents of enrolled students describe it as a “hellish” place, where children are treated more like factory parts than learners. Reports of exploitation and even abuse have surfaced, including the tragic suicide of a 17-year-old named Denis from Sverdlovsk. Despite these conditions, the college continues to attract teenagers, partly due to heavy state propaganda and the lure of high wages—over $700 a month, a significant amount by Russian standards.

Patriotism and Propaganda
Interviews with students reveal how deeply propaganda has influenced their thinking. A 13-year-old boy openly expressed excitement about building drones, even stating that while people may die, drones should not. Putin has also shortened the training cycle, cutting the period from ten years to just seven, and has argued that children should learn to assemble, design, and operate drones as part of their “necessary” education.

The Bigger Picture
The move highlights how Russia is mobilizing every section of society to sustain its long war effort. By embedding drone training in school curriculums and vocational institutions, the Kremlin is preparing an entire generation to support its military ambitions. For critics, however, this is a troubling example of how education is being weaponized, blurring the line between learning and indoctrination.