Russian children and young people are being trained in drone operations and technology at more than 500 schools across the nation, highlighting Moscow’s “almost certain” intent to increase drone usage in the long term, British military intelligence officials said.

More than 2,500 instructors throughout Russia are reportedly being trained to teach subjects related to uncrewed aerial systems, or UAS. Last year, Education Ministry officials announced their intention to train 1 million UAS specialists by 2030.

Training young people in drone use is a notable development in the militarization of the Russian education system, a trend that has rapidly increased since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“This also highlights the continually increasing importance of UAS in the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” British military intelligence officials posted Wednesday on X in their latest assessment of the battlefield.

In June, Mr. Putin announced a plan to develop a separate branch within the Russian armed forces that would focus on uncrewed aerial systems, the British military officials said.

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.