Russia bets on tactical UAVs as enduring component of modern warfare – British intelligence

This was stated by the Ministry of Defense of Great Britain on Twitter.

All Russian schoolchildren are to be taught the basics of operating combat drones. Russian Senator Artem Sheikin said that the lessons will include terrain reconnaissance and methods of countering enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

"The UAV lessons join assault rifle training, hand grenade skills and combat first aid in the revised ‘Basics of Life Safety’ syllabus for year 10 and 11 students, due to be mandated from 1 September 2023," the post notes.

The Ministry of Defense noted that Russia's increased emphasis on the military education of children is mostly an attempt to cultivate a culture of militarized patriotism, rather than to develop real military capabilities.

However, the addition of UAV piloting skills underscores that Russia has identified the use of tactical UAVs in Ukraine as an enduring component of contemporary warfare.

• On July 24, it was reported that since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has lost 242,620 soldiers, 4,162 tanks, and 452 air defense systems in Ukraine.