Students who refuse to undergo military training may be expelled, according to the Ministry of Defense.

Starting in September, students at higher education institutions will begin a new mandatory course in basic military training (BMT). As noted by the Ministry of Defense, the program aims to equip young people with essential military skills and prepare citizens for the defense of the state.

The military training for students, which will be integrated into the educational process of higher education institutions, consists of 300 academic hours and includes two components:

• The theoretical course (90 academic hours) will be conducted directly at educational institutions;
• The practical course (210 academic hours) will take place at special training centers of the Armed Forces.

Students pursuing higher education based on complete general secondary education will have BMT taught in their second year, while those seeking higher education based on qualification levels of junior specialist and junior bachelor will begin in their first year.

Who Must Undergo BMT

The theoretical course will be taught to all students, while the practical component must be completed by all men deemed fit for military service. Women who are fit for military service may voluntarily participate in practical sessions, but they must first register with the military enlistment office.

Before starting the practical component, all participants will undergo a medical examination. Individuals deemed unfit for military service will be exempt from the practical course.

A refusal from a student who is recognized as fit for military service to complete the practical portion of basic training, which will be integrated into the curriculum as a separate discipline, will be grounds for their expulsion from the educational institution, the Ministry of Defense notes.

Practical sessions will be held during vacations, allowing students to avoid conflicts with their primary studies.

Skills Students Will Gain During BMT

During the training, students in both full-time and dual-form education will acquire fundamental knowledge in tactics, first aid, psychological preparation, the basics of military discipline, international humanitarian law, and handling firearms. The primary focus will be on practical aspects, particularly training in the use of weapons, navigation, and ensuring personal safety in combat situations, among other skills.

Benefits of Undergoing BMT

Upon completing BMT, students will take a military oath and receive a certificate along with a military accounting specialty. This will exempt them from mandatory military service, which all men aged 18-25 are required to undergo. Additionally, completion of BMT will be a prerequisite for initial employment in state service, local government, and the prosecutor's office.

Earlier, People's Deputy Dmitry Razumkov stated that students who completed BMT in their first year and were subsequently expelled could be mobilized starting at 18. However, the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, Andrey Kovalenko, refuted the legislator's claims.