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The Russian military is building a replica of Berlin's Reichstag building as a playground for teenagers to attack at a patriotic theme park.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who made the announcement Wednesday, said the replica at the Patriot Park just outside Moscow will be smaller than life size.
Speaking to Russian parliament, he added to lawmakers' applause that the idea is for Yunarmia members "to storm a specific location, not something abstract."
The images of Soviet Army soldiers hoisting the red flag over the Reichstag in May 1945 have been iconic in Russia.
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The Yunarmia, or Young Army, was created in 2015 on Shoigu's initiative to encourage patriotism among schoolchildren, provide physical training and teach them basic military skills.
Visitors at a military exhibition n the Russian Armed Forces' Patriot military culture and leisure park in Kubinka, Moscow Region Credit: Mikhail Po/ITAR-TASS Photo Agency / Alamy
The German government had no immediate comment on Shoigu's statement, which comes amid a bitter strain in Russia's ties with the West over the war in eastern Ukraine, crisis, the war in Syria and other disputes.
The Kremlin has turned to World War II to encourage patriotic feelings, as the country's massive wartime suffering and enormous losses form a key element of Russia's national identity.
Victory Day has remained Russia's most important secular holiday, a rallying point for a nation deeply divided over its Soviet-era history.
The Russian military is building a replica of Berlin's Reichstag building as a playground for teenagers to attack at a patriotic theme park.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who made the announcement Wednesday, said the replica at the Patriot Park just outside Moscow will be smaller than life size.
Speaking to Russian parliament, he added to lawmakers' applause that the idea is for Yunarmia members "to storm a specific location, not something abstract."
The images of Soviet Army soldiers hoisting the red flag over the Reichstag in May 1945 have been iconic in Russia.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
The Yunarmia, or Young Army, was created in 2015 on Shoigu's initiative to encourage patriotism among schoolchildren, provide physical training and teach them basic military skills.
Visitors at a military exhibition n the Russian Armed Forces' Patriot military culture and leisure park in Kubinka, Moscow Region Credit: Mikhail Po/ITAR-TASS Photo Agency / Alamy
The German government had no immediate comment on Shoigu's statement, which comes amid a bitter strain in Russia's ties with the West over the war in eastern Ukraine, crisis, the war in Syria and other disputes.
The Kremlin has turned to World War II to encourage patriotic feelings, as the country's massive wartime suffering and enormous losses form a key element of Russia's national identity.
Victory Day has remained Russia's most important secular holiday, a rallying point for a nation deeply divided over its Soviet-era history.
Last edited by lockie on Fri Feb 24, 2017 5:12 pm; edited 1 time in total
