Russia looks to students to make up for mounting losses in Ukraine

The 23-year-old is among the first Russian students known to have been killed in Ukraine after signing up as part of a new large-scale drive to recruit young people from universities and colleges into Russia's drone forces.

Students are offered a special one-year contract to serve in a new branch of the military known as "unmanned systems troops" - as drones have become central to the war in Ukraine.

Students are told they can sign up for only one year, including training, and serve specifically in drone units rather than regular infantry, acquiring large payments and valuable technical skills, before returning to their studies.