'It's Like Winning at Roulette': War Quotas Squeeze Russian Students Out of Free University Spots (opens original article in a new tab)

Russian university admissions are increasingly favoring children of soldiers and war participants, reducing opportunities for other students and raising tuition costs.

• Over 28,000 students were admitted under war-related quotas in 2025, nearly double the previous year's number.
• Students and parents complain that university admissions prioritize wartime status over academic achievement, limiting access for non-privileged applicants.
• Tuition costs have risen sharply, making elite education unaffordable for many families, with some paying up to 1 million rubles annually.