Students at a prestigious Russian university are openly defying Putin by demanding they reintroduce online learning so they can study abroad – and avoid being called up to fight in Ukraine
- At the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow
- Around 3,100 students have reportedly threatened to quit if rejected
- The students’ “blackmail” threat has outraged war commentators
- But it’s a vote of no confidence in Putin by some of Russia’s brightest students
Thousands of elite students at one of Russia’s most prestigious universities are openly defying Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine with calls for a return of online learning so they can study abroad – and avoid being drafted into the bloody conflict.
Around 3,100 students at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow have reportedly threatened to be fired if rejected.
Her “blackmail” threat has outraged pro-war commentators, but her move underscores a devastating vote of no confidence in Putin by some of Russia’s brightest students.
It is the only university in Russia ranked in the top 100 of the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings.
Around 3,100 students at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (pictured) in Moscow have reportedly threatened to be fired if rejected
A well-known HSE graduate is Maxim Oreshkin (right), 40, Putin’s (left) own economic adviser and formerly his economic development minister
The pro-Kremlin Readovka channel featured an alleged leak of student demands
Pro-Kremlin broadcaster Readovka complained that two HSE students were forced to tear off Z and V stickers, which are pro-war symbols, from their dormitories
A well-known graduate of the HSE is Maxim Oreshkin, 40, Putin’s own economic adviser and formerly his economic development minister.
“More than 3,000 opposition-leaning students at the business school cooperated to blackmail the university’s administration into introducing distance learning,” pro-Kremlin broadcaster Readovka said.
There was an alleged leakage of student demands.
It claimed the students viewed Putin’s policies as “obnoxious” and had threatened “mass withdrawal” from their elite courses if they were banned from online learning from abroad.
Hundreds of thousands of military-age men have already fled Russia as Putin’s forced mobilization unfolds.
Many more are still trying to leave.
“The opposition students literally decided to spit in the well to betray their state, but continue to receive its benefits,” Readovka complained.
Other pro-war advocates fumed at the student action.
The rising wave of protests shows that Putin – who turns 70 this week – is at odds with many younger Russians who dispute his view that Ukraine is full of Nazis and must be attacked by forced mobilization of civilians.
In theory, students are exempt from mobilization.
HSE protest shows students do not trust authorities on student exemption.