January 26, 2026

Avoiding Expulsion Through the Draft


Avoiding Expulsion Through the Draft
Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin giving a talk at the Higher School of Economics. Denis Grishkin, Wikimedia Commons.

Mediazona revealed that the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) was pressuring students with poor academic performance into signing deceitful military contracts to fight in Russia's war in Ukraine.

T-invariant obtained internal documents from HSE. On January 19, the news outlet revealed that the university's administration was offering year-long military contracts to students who were on the verge of being expelled for poor academic performance. The students would then be sent off to fight in Ukraine. Recruits were promised drone operator positions in the military and a leave of absence from the university. According to HSE's documents, students who chose not to renew their military contracts would be guaranteed discharge.

Artem Klyga, a human rights activist from the organization "Movement of Conscious Objectors," contacted HSE's Second Department of Administration, which handles cases of students who have been drafted. According to Klyga, the head of the office, Vladimir Krotov, denied that students were being offered a special contract. Therefore, if enlisted, students might be required to stay at the front until the end of the war.

According to Klyga, the promise that students will serve exclusively in a drone unit of the military is a lie. He claimed that students would be sent to assault units. The activist posted on his Telegram, "And in that case, HSE will not help you anymore. The state will always deceive you." 

HSE is not the first university to pressure its students into joining the Russian armed forces. Students at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology reported being pressured into signing military contracts to operate drones in Ukraine. 

You Might Also Like

Traffic-Jammed
  • January 22, 2026

Traffic-Jammed

Remote blocking has caused Porches and BMWs to stall in Russian streets. 
To Avoid Infanticide
  • January 21, 2026

To Avoid Infanticide

Russian churches are holding anti-abortion services, which will now become an annual event.
Cargo Business Breaks Down
  • January 20, 2026

Cargo Business Breaks Down

Thousands of Russian freight transport companies are facing liquidation or bankruptcy amid rising costs, falling demand, and tightening financial conditions. 
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

White Magic
June 01, 2021

White Magic

The thirteen tales in this volume – all written by Russian émigrés, writers who fled their native country in the early twentieth century – contain a fair dose of magic and mysticism, of terror and the supernatural. There are Petersburg revenants, grief-stricken avengers, Lithuanian vampires, flying skeletons, murders and duels, and even a ghostly Edgar Allen Poe.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955