Russian authorities have systematically involved children in the development and testing of drones for use in the war in Ukraine through nationwide contests that start with seemingly harmless video games and culminate in top-performing students being recruited by defense firms, an investigation has revealed.
The findings, part of an inquiry by the exiled news outlet the Insider, underscore how deeply Russia's leadership is integrating its youth into the war effort, where "patriotic" and militarized education often transitions into direct involvement.
"Teenagers are actively working on designing components for different types of drones," one participant told a reporter, who posed as a correspondent for state-affiliated media to encourage more open responses. "I know at least several people who were developing UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] parts for major companies," the teenager added.
Vladimir Putin has urged Russia to increase drone production, as these devices have grown increasingly critical in the conflict with Ukraine. However, the drone warfare landscape is evolving rapidly, with both sides adopting new technologies to extend flight ranges and counter electronic interference. Russia is now recruiting its brightest young tech talents to support these efforts.
The process begins with a 2022 video game called Berloga, where players control "intelligent bears" defending against bee swarms, sometimes using drones, according to the investigation. Success in the game, played by hundreds of thousands of young Russians, can lead to academic rewards in final high school exams.
High-achieving participants advance to more complex competitions, such as one titled Big Challenges, which identifies skilled students for recruitment by Russian firms, many of which face international sanctions due to their ties to the country's defense sector.
The Insider interviewed three teenage finalists working on drone technology, who described how the program operates and acknowledged their awareness of military applications, though they were instructed to conceal them.
"We couldn’t say it was for the war, so we created civilian uses. It’s a youth program... Projects always need a dual purpose, especially for students. That’s an unspoken rule in every competition," one participant explained.
While small first-person view (FPV) drones are among the most lethal weapons on the battlefield, both Russia and Ukraine have deployed long-range drones to strike distant targets. Russia frequently launches nighttime waves of kamikaze drones into Ukraine, often targeting Kyiv and other major cities.
Children are also participating in the production of larger drones. Recently, a Russian military documentary highlighted...
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