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American Military News
6 days ago
- Politics
- American Military News
Video: Russia using teens to build military drones: Report
A new report claims that Russia is using teenagers to design, build, and test drones to be used in Russia's war with Ukraine. An investigation by The Insider, which is an exiled Russian news outlet, found that Russian officials use video game competitions to find talented students who are recruited by defense companies to design and test drones. A Russian teenager told The Insider, 'The kids are actively involved in modeling components of systems for various drones. I know of several people at least who were modeling UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] components for major enterprises.' According to The Insider, Russia's recruitment of teenagers begins with a video game that involves 'intelligence bears' defending themselves against bee swarms. The game also involves the use of drones to defend against the bee swarms. The outlet noted that hundreds of thousands of young Russians play the game and that students can receive extra credit points for doing well in the game. READ MORE: Video: 'American Drone Dominance' unleashed by Trump admin The Insider reported that young Russians who are good at playing the popular video game eventually are included in advanced competitions, such as Big Challenges, which searches for talented students on behalf of Russian companies linked to the Russian defense industry. One Russian teenager who was a finalist in the competition told The Insider, 'We were forbidden to say that it was needed for the war, and we invented civilian applications. It's a children's program … A project must always have a dual purpose, especially when you're a school student. It's an unwritten rule I've observed at every competition.' According to The New York Post, Zvedzda, a television channel for the Russian army, recently shared a video of Russian teenagers helping build the country's Geran-2 kamikaze drones at the Yelabuga production plant, which has been described as the 'world's biggest drone factory.' The New York Post reported that the Zvedzda television channel claimed that Russians as young as 14 have been invited to study and work at the Yelabuga factory. The outlet noted that teenagers who work at the Yelabuga factory would have an opportunity to be employed at the drone manufacturing plant after they finish their college education.
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First Post
23-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Video games, education incentives: How Russia is recruiting teenagers to design and test drones
A new investigation has found that Russian authorities are involving teenagers in designing and testing drones used in the war against Ukraine. Young participants are drawn in through seemingly harmless activities such as video games, state-organised competitions, and promises of educational or career perks. Top performers from these events are often picked by firms linked to Russia's defence industry read more A new investigation has revealed that Russian authorities have been involving teenagers in the development and testing of drones used in the war against Ukraine. The findings, reported by the exiled Russian news outlet The Insider, reveal that teenagers are brought in through what appear to be harmless activities like video games, government-organised contests, and offers of educational or career benefits. Those who show strong skills are later taken on by companies linked to Russia's defence industry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ | When Russia went to war against Ukraine and changed the world In this explainer, we find out how teenagers are being pulled into the drone programme and what they had to say about their involvement. Let's take a look: How Russia is using children to design and test its military drones The process begins with government-backed competitions that appear to be harmless and gradually lead to practical work with military technology. The report describes how video games like Berloga, launched in 2022, are used as a gateway. In the game, 'intelligent bears' fight off bees using drones. Success in such games can earn players extra academic credits and open doors to competitions like 'Big Challenges'. Top performers from these contests are often selected by companies connected to the defence sector. Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for an increase in drone production. As both Ukraine and Russia continue to rely heavily on drones in the conflict, there is a constant push for better technology. Russia is now looking to its brightest teenagers to support this effort. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for an increase in drone production. AFP/File Photo So, how is this done? It starts with Berloga, where players use drones in fictional scenarios. The game has drawn hundreds of thousands of young Russians. Those who excel can earn rewards that help with school exams. These top players are then invited to join more advanced programmes, which are designed to identify talented students. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Notably, Putin personally approved the launch of Berloga, and the project has continued to receive strong backing from officials. Its biggest attraction, and what drives its popularity, is the offer of 10 bonus points in the EGE, Russia's unified state exam for high school students. According to the report, students admit the tasks in Berloga are challenging, but the chance to earn extra marks is a strong motivator. Teenagers are also helping to produce larger, combat-ready drones. A recent documentary on the Russian army's television channel showed young people working inside a factory that builds kamikaze drones. The plant, reportedly the largest producer of such drones in the world, is already under EU sanctions and has been hit by long-range Ukrainian drone attacks, The Guardian reported. Notably, employing children in military facilities that may be targeted during war breaches several international conventions. The footage showed rows of completed Geran-2 kamikaze drones and blurred images of teenagers sitting at workstations or assembling parts. The Geran-2, capable of flying nearly 1,000 miles, is based on an Iranian design and is now produced domestically at a factory in Alabuga, Tatarstan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Russia's state broadcaster Zvezda said pupils aged 14 and 15 are studying drone production at a nearby college and later working at the plant. The footage also showed young workers with their faces blurred, either working on computers or putting together drones. 'We were forbidden to say that…' Although these competitions are presented as educational opportunities, students who spoke to The Insider admitted they were fully aware their work had military purposes but were told not to say so. A resident inspects a damaged car at the site of the Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine. Reuters 'The kids are actively involved in modelling components of systems for various drones,' one teenager said. 'I know of several people, at least, who were modelling UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] components for major enterprises.' Another student said, 'We were forbidden to say that it was needed for the war, and we invented civilian applications. It's a children's programme. A project must always have a dual purpose, especially when you're a school student. It's an unwritten rule I've observed at every competition.' Some also revealed working within military sites. One student recalled that, at the age of 13, he trained soldiers in drone operations at a state-run facility in 2022.
India Today
23-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Play, build, deploy: Is Russia grooming kids for military drone work?
Russian authorities are using children to design and test military drones that are being deployed in the war against Ukraine. According to a report by The Insider, a Russian news outlet now operating in exile, children are first introduced to this world through seemingly harmless video games and later pulled into advanced drone competitions. The most talented students are recruited by companies tied to Russia's defence report claimed that the journey often begins with a game called Berloga, released in 2022. In the game, players control "intelligent bears" that use drones to fight off swarms of bees. What looks like an ordinary game, played by hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren across Russia, is actually the first step in identifying and training future drone engineers. Those who perform exceptionally well in the game receive school exam credits and can qualify for national contests like Big Challenges, which are linked to defence who participated told The Insider that they were fully aware that their drone-related work could be used for war. One of them said, "We were forbidden to say that it was needed for the war, and we invented civilian applications It's an unwritten rule I've observed at every competition."CHILDREN WORKING ON KAMIKAZE DRONES Some teenagers are reportedly helping to build real-life drones, including deadly kamikaze models used on the frontlines. A documentary aired by Russia's army TV channel showed teens assembling Geran-2 kamikaze drones in a massive drone-making facility. These drones are used by the Russian military in near-daily attacks on Ukrainian cities, including Geran-2 factory has been placed on an EU sanctions list and has itself been a target of Ukrainian drone strikes. The facility was shown on national television, with rows of assembled drones and teenagers assisting in their of the teenagers told reporters, "The kids are actively involved in modelling components of systems for various drones. I know of several people who were working on parts for major enterprises."Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly called to increased production of drone. As the Russia-Ukraine conflict intensifies, Moscow is tapping young, talented minds to gain an edge over its rival.- EndsTune InMust Watch
News18
22-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Russia Recruited Children To Design War Drones, Told Them To Conceal Details: Report
Last Updated: Russian teens are recruited to design and test drones for Ukraine war via state-backed competitions, starting with video games and moving to military equipment. Russian teenagers are being recruited and trained to design and test drones used in the war in Ukraine through a series of state-backed competitions that begin with children's video games and escalate into hands-on experience with military equipment, an investigation by exiled Russian outlet The Insider revealed. The report detailed how young people are lured in through innocuous-seeming games like Berloga, a 2022-launched title where 'intelligent bears" fend off bees using drones. Top players receive academic rewards and can later be fast-tracked into competitions such as 'Big Challenges', where the most promising are headhunted by defence-linked companies. 'The kids are actively involved in modelling components of systems for various drones," one teenager said as per the report, adding, 'I know of several people at least who were modelling UAV components for major enterprises." A Secret War Effort Disguised As Innovation While the competitions are branded as educational opportunities, students who spoke with The Insider confirmed they were fully aware of the military applications of their work but were told to keep that quiet. One teenager said, 'We were forbidden to say that it was needed for the war and we invented civilian applications. It's a children's program. A project must always have a dual purpose, especially when you're a school student. It's an unwritten rule I've observed at every competition." The report also found that some teens are being recruited directly into military drone factories. As per the report, the facilities invite 14- and 15-year-old students to study drone manufacturing at an affiliated college where they are later absorbed into the workforce. The recruitment effort aligns with Russian President Vladimir Putin's push to increase domestic drone production as Moscow battles Kyiv in the skies with both short-range FPV drones and long-range kamikaze UAVs. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
