Volunteer of the Special Military Operation: "I am obligated to help ensure a calm and peaceful life for my family and all my compatriots."

      Photo: Dmitry Muzyka

      A new group of volunteers has signed military contracts in Nizhny Novgorod and is heading for combat training before serving in the unmanned systems troops. The future defenders have consciously decided to master a new profession — UAV operator. After training, the military personnel will serve in the special military operation zone as drone operators — conducting operational surveillance of the enemy, coordinating the actions of assault units, and ensuring the safety of the civilian population. A volunteer from the Chelyabinsk region with the call sign "Thunder" specifically traveled to the Nizhny Novgorod selection point on the advice of acquaintances to sign a contract and serve specifically in the unmanned systems troops. He was attracted by the opportunity to stay in a hostel during the paperwork, medical examination, and psychological testing all in one place. "Thunder" is a father of many children, and he is confident that today his main duty as the head of the family is to ensure the safety and right to a future for his children. "I used to work in various fields, but now my priorities have changed. I must help ensure a calm and peaceful life for my family and all my compatriots. My family supported me and said they are proud, despite their worries. I don't have deep knowledge in the field of unmanned aviation, so I am going to learn new technologies, because modern battles are primarily about innovations. I am sure that victory will be ours because our army has more advantages," said "Thunder."

      A volunteer from the Sverdlovsk region with the call sign "City" worked as a forklift driver before signing the contract. He said he wants to try himself in the unmanned aviation troops because service opens up new opportunities. "I don't want to just watch from the sidelines as the special operation unfolds; I want to actively participate and help the guys on the front line. I have basic knowledge about drones, and everything else will be taught. I want to show by my example that one should not be afraid when it comes to defending the Motherland. And most importantly, I want the civilians here not to suffer from what is happening at the front," he emphasized.

      A distinctive feature of the contract with the unmanned systems troops is its duration — one year.

      As of June 15, 2026, the one-time payment amount for volunteers of the special military operation, provided they sign a contract with the Ministry of Defense of Russia in Nizhny Novgorod, has been increased to 3.2 million rubles. The monthly salary starts from 210,000 rubles. Additionally, military personnel in the UAV troops are entitled to extra payments for combat achievements, for destroying enemy weapons and equipment — up to 500,000 rubles. Those who sign military contracts are issued certificates for the provision of land plots in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      It should be noted that there is also a mechanism for signing military social contracts in the Nizhny Novgorod region, which additionally guarantees the family of the contractor 10,000 rubles per month for each child, benefits for housing and utility payments, preschool services, and other types of support. Furthermore, individual support for the family of the serviceman is provided.

      The dispatch of residents of the Nizhny Novgorod region to their place of service is ensured by the coordination center for supporting military personnel, mobilized individuals, and their families, operating at the base of the House of National Unity. At the same time, the region continues to actively support military personnel by sending humanitarian cargo to the special military operation zone.

      Detailed information about contract service can be clarified at the Volunteer Recruitment Center by phone: 8-800-10-17-017 or on the website: https://служунн.рф/. The unified selection point is located at: Nizhny Novgorod, Lykina St., 2.

      Photo: Dmitry Muzyka

      Source of the news:

      Military Commissariat of the Nizhny Novgorod Region