Russiais facing a growing crisis on its campuses, with reports suggesting students at major universities are being pushed towards military service amid the ongoing conflict inUkraine. Students at Bauman Moscow State Technical University and St Petersburg State Technical University say they are being encouraged to sign military contracts instead of continuing their studies.
According to students speaking anonymously to independent news outlet Astra, university authorities are tightening exam deadlines and reducing the time allowed to clear academic debts. Those who fail risk expulsion unless they opt to enlist.
One student toldAstra: "We are not given academic leave, we are not allowed to transfer to another university, and exams have been tightened. The rector's office does its best to send its students to serve under contract.
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"The Dean's office has shortened the deadline for debt repayment, whereas previously 1-3 months were allocated for this, now they have given a little less than two weeks, most likely in order for as many people as possible to leave for the commission. If the commission is not passed, you should be expelled."
One student said lecturers are actively promoting military service, particularly to those struggling academically, suggesting that serving in the armed forces could save their place at university. Another told Astra that staff are holding recruitment campaigns in lecture halls.
Critics say the moves amount to pressure on youngpeople to go to warin place of pursuing education, at a time when many Russians are weary of the long conflict.
It comes amid recent but rare clashes betweenRussia's youth and theMoscow regime, as frustration grows over the war inUkraine. Last year in St Petersburg, 18-year-old singer Diana Loginova, known as Naoko, was arrested after performing anti-war songs with her street band, Stoptime. The group had gained attention online for singing tracks by exiled Russian artists critical of the Kremlin.
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Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
