Since the beginning of 2026, 300 people have been recruited from Tatarstan into the unmanned systems troops.

      Since the beginning of the year, about 300 people have been sent to serve in the unmanned systems troops from Tatarstan. This was reported by Viktor Nikitin, an officer at the military service selection point for contract service in Kazan. His words are quoted by "Tatar-Inform." The publication released a report on the dispatch of a group of about a dozen servicemen who signed contracts in the unmanned systems troops. The date of the event is not specified. — All of them signed a one-year contract with the right to resign at its conclusion if they decide not to continue serving. The soldiers will serve only in the unmanned systems troops and will not be transferred to other branches of the military without their personal desire, — said Viktor Nikitin. Among the servicemen are natives of Tatarstan, Mari El, Chuvashia, and the Samara region. — Interest in serving in the unmanned systems troops is growing. There are many willing, but only the best are accepted for service. The average profile of a soldier is a physically developed 35-year-old man with a secondary vocational education. Those who signed contracts made the decision to defend the Motherland, using their skills in the technological field, — he stated. Recall that in December last year, recruitment of students for the war began in Russia. In the first stage, recruitment was conducted in the best technical universities of the country and military departments, as reported by T-invariant. In the second stage — starting in January 2026 — active recruitment of students on the verge of expulsion began. Since February, recruitment has started for all students. The publication "Vёрстка" counted at least 200 recruitment meetings that took place in universities and colleges across Russia, including in the Volga regions. The main recruitment tool became the "special contract" in the unmanned systems troops, promising "high-tech" service away from the front line for a period of one year. Lawyer Artem Klyga from the "Movement of Conscious Objectors" told "Idel. Realities" that legally, the "one-year contract" that is often promised to students simply does not exist. According to him, points 4-5 of the Russian president's decree on mobilization make any agreement indefinite until the end of the mobilization period. In Klyga's opinion, the promises of one-year contracts and service away from the front are "complete nonsense," as there is no legislative basis for such conditions. The human rights activist stated that the entire "selection" procedure for UAV units is just a way to lure people. Tatarstan is one of the leaders in Russia in the number of confirmed deaths in the war in Ukraine. As of March 30, "Idel. Realities" verified 8,124 names. This is the second place in Russia. The first place is held by Bashkortostan with 9,396 names. "Idel. Realities" keeps its own count of fallen soldiers and volunteers from the Volga regions. This list includes only those whose deaths have been recognized in one way or another by the Russian side, relatives of the deceased, or educational or other public institutions. The actual numbers may be significantly higher. Subscribe to our Telegram channel.