Russia Sacrifices Future for War By Enlisting Students
The article highlights the tragic fates of young Russian students recruited into drone units, who ultimately faced front-line combat. Valery Averin, a 23-year-old former student, was killed in a mortar strike just a week after learning he had been trained as a drone operator, despite his foster mother’s belief that the role was safe. Similarly, 18-year-old Vladislav Gorbunov and Rakhim Abdullin also died soon after signing military contracts, with the latter noting that drone units were not as safe as advertised and were placed on the front lines alongside assault troops. These young men are among a growing number of verified Russian military deaths, with the true toll believed to be significantly higher.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood