Desperate Putin resorts to training Russian children how to operate deadly weapons
Britain's Ministry of Defence has said all schoolchildren in Russia will learn how to operate drones.
Schoolchildren in Russia will be taught how to operate combat drones and ways of countering enemy attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Ministry of Defence has said.
The MoD cited Russian politician Artem Sheikin as saying youngsters will also be taught terrain reconnaissance.
The MoD said in its latest intelligence briefing posted online on Monday: "All Russian school children are to be taught the basics of operating combat drones.
"Russian Senator Artem Sheikin announced that the lessons will include how to conduct terrain reconnaissance and ways to counter enemy uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs)."
Both Russia and Ukraine have deployed military and commercial drones in the war with Moscow using Iranian made Shahed-136 and Russian made Orlan-10 UAVs with ranges of up to 1,500 miles and 68 miles respectively.
Ukraine has received Switchblade drones from the US, Matrice 300 RTKs and Bayraktar TB2s, which respectively have a range of six miles, nine miles and 186 miles. Both sides have made use of Mavic 3s, which have a maxiumum speed of 43mph.
Drones have become criticial components in the war with Ukrainian forces using them to strike targets in Russian annexed Crimea and in Russia’s Belgorod border region.
A drone attack on Moscow on Monday saw buildings damaged just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed revenge for an alleged Russian bombing of a cathedral in southern Ukraine which killed one person.
Drones have become criticial components in the war with Ukrainian forces using them to strike targets in Russian annexed Crimea and in Russia’s Belgorod border region.
A drone attack on Moscow on Monday saw buildings damaged just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed revenge for an alleged Russian bombing of a cathedral in southern Ukraine which killed one person.
Don't miss...
Corfu on fire as wildfires tear through second Greek holiday island [LATEST]
'First sign Meghan Markle running out of steam' exposed by expert after blow [REVEALED]
Michael Gove launches savage attack on Keir Starmer with brutal Tony Blair jibe [REPORT]
The MoD said in its briefing on Monday that UAV lessons will form part of existing assault rifle training, hand grenade skills and combat first aid in a Basics of Life Safety syllabus for Year 10 and 11 students, mandated from September.
It added: "Russia's renewed emphasis on military induction for children is largely an effort to cultivate a culture of militarised patriotism rather than develop genuine capability.
"However, the addition of UAV skills does highlight how Russia has identified the use of tactical UAVs in Ukraine as an enduring component of contemporary war."