Russia's ambitious plan to build an elite drone force is struggling to get off the ground, with young, tech-savvy recruits refusing to enlist amid fears they could end up on the front line despite official promises. The shortfall is exposing growing strains inside the Kremlin's war effort as battlefield losses mount and Ukraine continues to exploit drone warfare. Elite Vision Collides With Recruitment Reality The Kremlin launched the Unmanned Systems Forces (VBS) last November to modernise Russia's military and challenge Ukraine's increasingly effective drone operations. The new branch was designed to recruit 34,400 specialists capable of operating advanced unmanned systems. But according to analysis by the Russian opposition group Conflict Intelligence Team, only around a quarter of that target has been achieved. The shortfall comes as Moscow faces mounting casualties and increasing pressure to replenish its ranks. Students Become the Kremlin's Target Defence minister Andrei Belousov ordered a recruitment drive focused on under-35s, with universities and technical colleges becoming key hunting grounds for new operators. Independent outlet Groza reported that recruitment campaigns reached hundreds of higher education institutions, offering students one-year contracts and specialised drone training. More than 8,000 specialists reportedly completed training during the first half of the year. Even so, recruitment remains well below what Russia needs to sustain an expanding drone war. Broken Trust Undermines the Strategy Military analysts say reluctance to enlist is driven less by money than by trust. Despite official assurances that drone operators will remain in specialist roles, many young Russians fear they could later be transferred into frontline assault units. Samuel Bendett, an adviser at the Centre for Naval Analyses, said previous cases of drone specialists being reassigned to combat roles have created lasting distrust. Many students also fear being kept in military service well beyond their contracts. Nigel Gould-Davies of the International Institute for Strategic Studies said growing awareness that the war is going badly has further weakened recruitment. He argued that many of the skilled young people best suited to drone warfare simply see little reason to volunteer. Quality Gap Raises Fresh Questions The shortage is forcing Russia to rely increasingly on older recruits rather than the technically skilled operators the force was created to attract. According to Conflict Intelligence Team, many of those joining are over 50, leaving elite units well below their intended standard. While Russia still produces and launches large numbers of long-range drones, analysts say Ukraine has gained an advantage in key mid-range capabilities. With speculation growing over another mobilisation drive later this year, the Kremlin may soon have to rely less on persuasion and more on compulsion to fill the gaps. Why young Russians refuse to join Putin’s drone units
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