August 19, 2026

Drone Army Needs Pilots


Drone Army Needs Pilots
Watching you. U.S. Air Force, Public Domain

Competition is fierce for the Gorno-Altaysk State University's newest class: drone piloting. Only about half of those who applied were enrolled in one of 75 open seats.

Part of the excitement (presumably aside from future front-line job placements in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, guaranteeing desirable hands-on experience) is for new classrooms at the university’s Military Training Center. Funding to equip the new classroom was generously supplied by the People’s Front, a coalition that unifies major Russian parties in support of current president Vladimir Putin.

With such strong interest in drone piloting, Head of the Altai Republic Andrey Turchak announced his hopes to expand the program with a second classroom.

​The university is also piloting another program [pun intended]: ”Heroes of Altai” celebrated the graduation of its first cohort in 2026. After years at war, over 30 veterans of Russia's war on Ukraine from the region received psychological support and professional training for a career change.

Before developing the Military Training Center, Gorno-Altaysk State University’s strongest programs focused on ecology and professional development for the hospitality industry. 

You Might Also Like

Recruiting For a Drone Army
  • June 12, 2026

Recruiting For a Drone Army

The Ukrainian project Khochu Zhit found a list of students recruited into Russia's unmanned forces.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Faith & Humor
December 01, 2011

Faith & Humor

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.

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.

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.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

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.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, 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