St. Petersburg is recruiting marksmen to combat drones
In St. Petersburg, recruitment has begun for mobile fire teams tasked with protecting businesses and critical infrastructure from drone attacks. Volunteers are promised a salary starting at 180,000 rubles per month, bonuses for shooting down drones, and assurances that they will not be sent to fight in the war against Ukraine.
Military registration offices in St. Petersburg have begun recruiting shooters and drivers for mobile fire teams (MFTs) that will specialize in countering drones. This was reported by the Russian media outlets “Fontanka” and “Rotonda.” Recruitment announcements began appearing in late June on social media and on official city government websites. The press service of the Leningrad Military District confirmed that recruitment is taking place at all military commissariats in St. Petersburg.
According to the announcements, the mobile fire teams are short-range air defense units. Their main task is to patrol the territory, monitor the air situation, detect drones, and shoot them down with small arms. After completing two months of training, the recruits are scheduled to be deployed to guard critical infrastructure facilities. These include industrial plants, power plants, seaports, oil depots, and other important facilities in St. Petersburg.
The announcements specifically note that service will take place within the city’s critical infrastructure protection units, and deployments to the combat zone in Ukraine are not planned. A three-year contract is being offered through the Budyonny Military Academy of Communications. Before beginning their service, candidates will undergo special training at military training grounds under the supervision of instructors.
Military service experience or experience handling weapons is not required. Candidates are only required to be in good health and have no criminal record. The position offers a salary starting at 180,000 rubles per month. In addition, there are provisions for additional payments and bonuses for successfully destroying drones. The job posting states that mobile units must respond quickly to the appearance of drones and operate directly at locations where important enterprises and infrastructure facilities are situated.
Recently, Russian regions have been reporting drone attacks with increasing frequency. As a result, the authorities are strengthening the air defense system and seeking new ways to protect strategic facilities. The Leningrad Military District itself has confirmed that recruitment for mobile fire teams is underway at all district military registration and enlistment offices in St. Petersburg. The recruitment announcement states: “After training, members of the mobile fire teams will serve to protect critical infrastructure facilities in St. Petersburg.” This is reported by Russian media.
Potential candidates are also promised: “There will be no deployments to the combat zone in Ukraine.”
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