Drone Volunteer: Russia triumphed thanks to unity

      A new group of volunteers has been formed in Nizhny Novgorod to join the ranks of unmanned systems troops. Recruits from various regions of the country have signed contracts with the Ministry of Defense of Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod selection point and headed to the training center to learn drone management. Among them is a 25-year-old engineer from the Tyumen region. Since his youth, he has been involved in military applied sports, obtained a higher engineering education, and went into compulsory military service. After that, he worked for several years in a scientific company, where he developed medical equipment for military hospitals. Inspired by his service and scientific work, he decided not to stand aside and go on a special operation. "I wanted to join my brothers at the front. There are a lot of guys there now; everyone has united for a common goal. Together with them, I will defend the Motherland. I gained some flying skills during my service, I have engineering ingenuity, and I know how to use a 3D printer—I believe all this will be useful to me in the special operation. The enemy is trying to destabilize the situation within our country, but we will not allow that. Russia has always won thanks to the strength of spirit and unity of its people," says the volunteer.

      Also among the volunteers is a 34-year-old marketer from the Altai Territory. According to him, the decision to participate in the special operation was driven by the desire to protect his family and civilians from enemy drone attacks. "Too many drones are flying into our peaceful regions, which should not happen at all. One of the main tasks of the Armed Forces of Russia is to eradicate neo-Nazism, a modern manifestation of Bandera ideology, so that it never exists again anywhere. For service, I considered only the unmanned systems troops—this direction is currently the most in demand. We need to put an end to the terror against our country, and that is why men from all over the country are signing contracts and going to serve," he emphasized.

      A distinctive feature of the contract with the unmanned systems troops is its duration—one year. Recall that starting from June 15, 2026, the amount of a one-time payment to 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, for military personnel in the UAV troops, there are extra payments for combat merits, for the destruction of 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.

      There is also a mechanism for signing military social contracts in the Nizhny Novgorod region, which guarantees the families of contract soldiers free vouchers to sanatorium-rehabilitation centers and children's health camps, priority free medical care, benefits for housing and communal services, preschool services, and other types of support. Furthermore, individual support for the families of military personnel is provided. The dispatch of residents of the Nizhny Novgorod region to their places of service is ensured by the coordination center for supporting military personnel, mobilized individuals, and their families, operating at the House of National Unity. At the same time, the region continues to actively support military personnel by sending humanitarian supplies to the area of the special military operation.

      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, Luykina St., 2.

      Kristina Koretskaya