In Russia, students are being recruited into "unmanned troops" through computer game imagery and promises of "safe service." To this end, leaflets are being distributed near universities calling for them to pilot "Geran" drones instead of completing compulsory military service. This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation of the NSDC, according to UNN.
In Yekaterinburg, one of Russia's largest technological cities, leaflets have begun appearing near a local university calling on students to launch "Gerans" in what is framed as a computer game instead of performing compulsory military service,
In this way, recruiters are trying to create the illusion of a "technological" and supposedly safe service in the so-called unmanned troops.
In reality, this is an attempt to lure young people into signing contracts with structures associated with "Alabuga-Polytech" — a facility used for the production and training of operators for "Shahed/Geran" type strike UAVs.
Due to its involvement in supporting Russian aggression, this facility is a legitimate military target. Therefore, there is no question of "safe service" or "just computer games."
Russian propaganda purposefully uses imagery from computer games to lower the critical perception of war risks among young people. The Kremlin is interested in the total mobilization of the younger generation, as it views them as a resource for conducting a prolonged war of aggression,