Russia doubles school military training to 17 hours, adds drone ops

Russia is more than doubling the hours of compulsory military training for students in the 6th through 11th grades. Education Minister Sergey Kravtsov announced the curriculum expansion, raising the annual total to 17 hours from 8 previously. The new program includes lessons on drone operations, both reconnaissance and attack, plus field exercises.

The move extends a push to militarize civilian education that began after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Previous training covered basic first aid and rifle assembly. The addition of drone piloting reflects the battlefield role those systems play in the war.

For investors, the policy confirms that Russia intends to keep its defense apparatus on a war footing for the foreseeable future. Defense contractors that supply the Russian military stand to benefit from sustained procurement. The state signals that military readiness is a multi-year commitment, not a short-term surge.

Western-facing companies in Russia face deepening geopolitical friction. Apple, which largely suspended operations in the country in 2022, retains a limited presence through authorized resellers. Further militarization of society adds to the operational risk and reputational pressure on any company still serving the Russian market. Sanctions already block most financial flows; the curriculum change reinforces the country's isolation.

The curriculum shift also carries longer-term economic implications. Early military exposure for a broad cohort of students could widen the civilian skills gap in an economy already struggling with labor shortages. Young Russians trained in drone operations may be more inclined to military careers, reducing the pool for civilian sectors such as technology and manufacturing. No direct near-term market catalyst exists beyond the confirmation that Russia's defense posture will remain elevated.