UK intelligence says higher education in Russia becomes increasingly militarized
Ukrainska Pravda – February 12, 2024
UK Defence Intelligence has analysed the creation of a new military institute in Russia, which means the increasing militarisation of higher education in the country.
Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 12 February on Twitter, as reported by European Pravda
Details: The UK MoD noted that the Institute of World Military and Economic Strategy was established at the Russian Higher School of Economics (HSE) in February. It was founded by Russian hard-line political scientist Sergei Karaganov.
Sergei Avakyants, former Commander of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, will head the institute, having previously stated that Russia is in a state of long-term confrontation with the West.
UK Defence Intelligence explained that the institute will deal with politics and economics but will focus on foreign nations’ defence industries and studying strategic deterrence and the role of nuclear weapons.
It was suggested that the institute’s staff would be drawn mainly from various HSE faculties. It would also invite researchers from various military academies, such as the Russian General Staff Academy.
“This will highly likely lead to closer interaction between Russian academia and the defence sector, boosting the militarisation of higher education,” the UK MoD stated.
Background:
- A previous UK intelligence review highlighted the shortage of medical personnel in Russia due to the war against Ukraine.
- On 10 February, it was reported that the latest Ukrainian strike on the Belbek airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea had further derailed the potential of Russian aircraft.