In occupied Crimea, authorities are officially demanding lists of students slated for expulsion, as well as of prospective students who failed this year’s entrance exams. Authorities are likely planning to recruit these groups of young people to enlist in the Russian army on a contract basis.
This was reported by Krym.Realii.
The directive was sent to higher education institutions by the head of the recruitment office for contract military service.
Oleg Okhredko, an expert at the “Almenda” Center for Civic Education, noted that the first instructions to educational institutions regarding the recruitment and referral of students to the ranks of the Russian army were recorded in January 2023. This year, they began recruiting high school graduates who had not been admitted to universities.
Analysts at the Center for the Study of the Occupation have noted increasing difficulties in Russia’s efforts to fill its contract-based army ranks ahead of the start of fall. In more than 50% of the federal subjects, recruitment quotas are not being met, with an average shortfall of 5–7% and a maximum shortfall of 10–15%.
Despite the fact that the recruitment of new recruits has not turned into a complete disaster, Moscow is forced to constantly increase financial expenditures and administrative pressure to maintain momentum. In early August 2026, more than half of Russia’s regions introduced bonuses not only for the conscripts themselves but also for their recruiters. At the same time, the Kremlin authorities are carrying out illegal forced conscription of the population in the occupied Ukrainian territories, including the Crimean Peninsula, which constitutes a war crime under international law.
Earlier, the Save Ukraine team rescued a 19-year-old student from occupied Crimea. The enemy had attempted to send the young man to war.
Artem, 19, said that instead of taking exams, students were forced to attend meetings with Russian military officials, pressured to sign contracts, and compelled to donate money to the occupying army. The young man also witnessed targeted repression against the Crimean Tatars.
Юлія Калабайда
