Courts in Russia are ordering graduates of free drone operator courses to pay compensation if they refuse to go to war, Verstka reports

The Yaroslavl branch of DOSAAF (the Volunteer Society for Cooperation with the Army, Aviation, and Navy) has begun filing lawsuits against individuals who completed free drone operation courses organized by the society but then refused to sign contracts with Russia's Ministry of Defense. Verstka found four court rulings in Russia’s judicial database ordering the defendants to pay compensation for the training they received.

Since April, DOSAAF has filed lawsuits in multiple Russian regions claiming that the defendants had completed public-funded training and were required, under the agreement, to sign a contract with the Defense Ministry upon finishing the course — but failed to do so. In one case, course graduate Artur Igtisanov, from Bashkortostan, did join the military but was later dismissed for “failing to pass the probationary period.” As a result, the court ruled that Igtisanov was obligated to pay DOSAAF 300,000 rubles ($3,750).

According to Verstka, court rulings show that the compensation amounts are twice the cost of the training itself. For example, the training of Artem Fisenko, a resident of Stavropol Krai, cost the regional budget 150,000 rubles ($1,875), but the court ordered him to pay the same 300,000 rubles — and also to cover legal expenses.

According to court records, the DOSAAF courses involved instruction not only in drone operation but also in electronic warfare, as well as basic military training and tactical medicine. Verstka believes the training in question took place at a specialized center established in May 2024 at the direction of Yaroslavl Region Governor Mikhail Yevraev.