Russia to teach school children how to operate combat drones to develop 'militarised patriotism'

Russia is to teach school children how to operate combat drones in a move aimed at developing "militarised patriotism" rather than "genuine capability", the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has said.

Drone warfare has played a key role in the Ukraine conflict and in an intelligence update, the MOD said Russian year 10 and 11 students will learn the "basics" of operating the drones.

The MOD said: "All Russian school children are to be taught the basics of operating combat drones.

• US releases footage of Russian fighter jets 'harassing' US drones over Syria
• Ukraine's new anti-aircraft gun could lay waste to Iranian-made Russian 'suicide drones'
• Iran likely helping Russia build its own kamikaze drones, UK intelligence suggests

"Russian Senator Artem Sheikin announced that the lessons will include how to conduct terrain reconnaissance and ways to counter enemy uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs)."

The UAV lessons "join assault rifle training, hand grenade skills and combat first aid in the revised ‘Basics of Life Safety’ syllabus for year 10 and 11 students, due to be mandated from 1 September 2023," the MOD added.

"Russia's renewed emphasis on military induction for children is largely an effort to cultivate a culture of militarised patriotism rather than develop genuine capability," the MOD said.

"However, the addition of UAV skills does highlight how Russia has identified the use of tactical UAVs in Ukraine as an enduring component of contemporary war."

It comes after the MOD said the taboo against unmasked criticism of the Putin regime has significantly weakened.

One senior nationalist military blogger, and former Russian intelligence officer, was arrested "almost certainly arrested for 'extremism' on 21 July for 2023".

2Girkin has long been a critic of the Russian Ministry of Defence's conduct of the war," the MOD said.

"However, in recent days his comments turned to direct criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his time in power," the intelligence report said.

"The move is likely to infuriate fellow members of the mil-blogger community - and elements within the serving military - who largely see Girkin as an astute military analyst and patriot."

It also comes after a recent Russian air attack on Odesa left one dead and a historic cathedral significantly damaged.

One person was killed with 22 others being injured as a result of the strike badly damaging the Spaso-Preobrazhenskyi Cathedral - Odesa's largest Orthodox church building.